Mistaken for a Gardener

A standalone message for Easter Sunday out of John 20.

Sermon Outline

“Thinking he was the gardener, she said, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.’” (John 20:15)

The Gardener?

• Is Mary mistaken?
• Does Jesus look different?
• Is John telling us something?

The Garden of Eden and the Resurrection Garden

• The garden of Eden
• The ruins of the garden of our world
• The resurrection garden

Jesus’ New Gardening

• In Mary, the disciples, Thomas, and Peter
• In us
• In our world

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What is one of your favorite Easter traditions, either personally, culturally, or with family?
2. This week we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection as the culmination of our Lenten journey and preaching series. Whether you are on your own or with others, begin your study in prayer, asking God to speak to you through this study, then read our text, which is John 20:1-18.
3. What stands out to you from verses 1-10 about the first clues to Jesus’ resurrection?
4. If you were part of this first appearance, how do you think you might have responded?
5. While the disciples leave, beginning in verse 11, Mary Magdalene lingers at the tomb. Who does she see in verses 11-13 and what interactions do they have?
6. Why do you think the angels question Mary’s tears?
7. What captures your attention about Mary’s eventual interactions with the resurrected Jesus in verses 15-17?
8. Why do you think Mary initially doesn’t recognize Jesus but then later does?
9. If you were Mary, what would you be thinking and feeling as you saw Jesus?
10. In verse 18, Mary reports to the disciples what she has seen. What happens?
11. What is God speaking to you through this study? If you are with a small group, discuss that with one another and then pray about what you shared. If you are on your own, write it down, pray about it, and share this with someone during the next few days.