1 00:00:00,480 --> 00:00:04,440 Speaker 1: Death, where is your sting? Hades, where is your victory? 2 00:00:04,440 --> 00:00:11,020 Speaker 1: 1 Corinthians 15, 55. Dear Lord Jesus, these words ignite 3 00:00:11,039 --> 00:00:14,970 Speaker 1: a fire in our hearts, for they proclaim the magnificent 4 00:00:15,030 --> 00:00:18,290 Speaker 1: reality that death has been defeated once and for all 5 00:00:19,050 --> 00:00:23,209 Speaker 1: by the resurrection power of Jesus. How can we contain 6 00:00:23,270 --> 00:00:26,930 Speaker 1: our praise and thanksgiving for such a triumph? Thank you, God, 7 00:00:27,750 --> 00:00:31,680 Speaker 1: for conquering the grave, for transforming the gloom of death 8 00:00:32,159 --> 00:00:36,520 Speaker 1: into a doorway to everlasting life. Because of Jesus, death 9 00:00:36,540 --> 00:00:40,510 Speaker 1: has lost its power over us. The sting has been removed, 10 00:00:41,030 --> 00:00:43,650 Speaker 1: and the victory is swallowed up in the glory of 11 00:00:43,690 --> 00:00:47,890 Speaker 1: the resurrection. In a world where we encounter suffering, loss, 12 00:00:48,550 --> 00:00:52,350 Speaker 1: and the shadow of mortality, remind us, Lord, that we 13 00:00:52,390 --> 00:00:56,370 Speaker 1: are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Let 14 00:00:56,470 --> 00:01:00,260 Speaker 1: our lives be a living testament to the fact that 15 00:01:00,300 --> 00:01:04,270 Speaker 1: death no longer has dominion over us. May we live 16 00:01:04,450 --> 00:01:08,950 Speaker 1: passionately for you, emboldened by the reality that our eternal 17 00:01:09,030 --> 00:01:13,390 Speaker 1: future is secure in you. In the name of our 18 00:01:13,550 --> 00:01:19,660 Speaker 1: risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen. Thank 19 00:01:19,700 --> 00:01:22,700 Speaker 1: you for praying with me today. You're listening to The 20 00:01:22,760 --> 00:01:26,919 Speaker 1: Jesus Podcast. Continue listening to be swept away by the 21 00:01:26,959 --> 00:01:34,080 Speaker 1: dramatic and awe-inspiring story Follow this podcast on whatever platform 22 00:01:34,110 --> 00:01:37,760 Speaker 1: you're listening to. Doing so will keep you updated, but 23 00:01:37,840 --> 00:01:42,039 Speaker 1: also help us get discovered by more people. We want 24 00:01:42,080 --> 00:01:45,240 Speaker 1: the story of Jesus to be known throughout the world. 25 00:01:46,000 --> 00:01:54,030 Speaker 1: Thanks for making that possible. John's forehead was pressed against 26 00:01:54,070 --> 00:01:59,780 Speaker 1: the windowsill. His eyes stared blankly outside. watching the gulls 27 00:01:59,880 --> 00:02:04,640 Speaker 1: fly overhead. Memories of Jesus' death flashed through his mind. 28 00:02:06,360 --> 00:02:09,120 Speaker 1: He was stuck in a loop of regret and horror. 29 00:02:09,919 --> 00:02:14,900 Speaker 1: He's gone, John whispered for the thousandth time. A deep 30 00:02:15,020 --> 00:02:18,600 Speaker 1: ache returned to his chest each time he uttered the words. 31 00:02:20,210 --> 00:02:23,310 Speaker 1: He was the only one of Jesus' disciples that watched 32 00:02:23,450 --> 00:02:27,430 Speaker 1: the whole thing. He heard the crowd clamor for his crucifixion. 33 00:02:28,940 --> 00:02:31,840 Speaker 1: He watched the soldiers strip him naked and flog him 34 00:02:32,280 --> 00:02:37,820 Speaker 1: to near death. Then he watched helplessly as Jesus carried 35 00:02:37,880 --> 00:02:43,350 Speaker 1: his cross up Golgotha. John closed his eyes again and 36 00:02:43,389 --> 00:02:47,510 Speaker 1: saw Jesus' suffering face, crying to God from the cross. 37 00:02:49,190 --> 00:02:54,130 Speaker 1: His final words reverberated in his mind. As lightning split 38 00:02:54,230 --> 00:02:58,980 Speaker 1: the heavens, Jesus called out with a broken voice, It 39 00:03:00,020 --> 00:03:05,419 Speaker 1: is finished. John's eyes began to water again. He looked 40 00:03:05,460 --> 00:03:09,040 Speaker 1: behind him. Matthew James and Nathaniel were sitting at a 41 00:03:09,080 --> 00:03:13,800 Speaker 1: table in silence. Andrew James and Philip were weaving baskets 42 00:03:14,060 --> 00:03:19,350 Speaker 1: and nets, meandering in and out of sad conversations. Then 43 00:03:19,630 --> 00:03:24,730 Speaker 1: there was Peter. Peter sat by the other window, brooding 44 00:03:24,770 --> 00:03:30,840 Speaker 1: in silence, with clenched fists clenched. wincing whenever anybody mentioned Jesus' name. 45 00:03:32,580 --> 00:03:36,920 Speaker 1: Peter's memories of that night were different from John's. While 46 00:03:36,960 --> 00:03:39,440 Speaker 1: John followed Jesus up the hill to watch him die, 47 00:03:40,620 --> 00:03:45,030 Speaker 1: Peter had run away in shame. He had denied even 48 00:03:45,150 --> 00:03:50,310 Speaker 1: knowing Jesus. By the fire outside the temple courts, Peter 49 00:03:50,450 --> 00:03:55,740 Speaker 1: cursed at the notion of being Jesus' friend. Then, as 50 00:03:55,780 --> 00:04:00,360 Speaker 1: the rooster crowed for the third time Peter's eyes locked 51 00:04:00,420 --> 00:04:06,740 Speaker 1: with Jesus as he was thrown out of the temple. Hurt, betrayal, 52 00:04:07,740 --> 00:04:13,300 Speaker 1: and sorrow were emanating from his eyes. Peter couldn't stand himself. 53 00:04:13,660 --> 00:04:18,580 Speaker 1: He's gone, Peter sighed. And I denied him. Peter thought 54 00:04:18,620 --> 00:04:23,290 Speaker 1: of crying often, but never allowed it. Weeping would be 55 00:04:23,330 --> 00:04:26,970 Speaker 1: too much of a release for him. He deserved to 56 00:04:27,010 --> 00:04:31,400 Speaker 1: be in pain. He earned the weight of shame and 57 00:04:31,440 --> 00:04:34,170 Speaker 1: was determined to hold on to it as long as 58 00:04:34,210 --> 00:04:40,630 Speaker 1: he lived. The disciples huddled in Matthew's home, occasionally leaving 59 00:04:40,670 --> 00:04:44,650 Speaker 1: for food and fresh air. Since the arrest of Jesus, 60 00:04:44,790 --> 00:04:47,990 Speaker 1: the eleven remaining disciples feared what the Jewish leaders would 61 00:04:48,029 --> 00:04:53,980 Speaker 1: do to them. They were powerless, stagnant, and paralyzed by fear. 62 00:04:55,339 --> 00:04:59,489 Speaker 1: They felt like empty shells, unable to escape their shame 63 00:04:59,770 --> 00:05:04,549 Speaker 1: and sorrow. As they cowered in Matthew's home, they heard 64 00:05:04,610 --> 00:05:08,230 Speaker 1: a frenetic knock on the door. Everyone stood to their 65 00:05:08,250 --> 00:05:12,730 Speaker 1: feet in fear. They were like skittish sheep, alert to 66 00:05:12,770 --> 00:05:16,920 Speaker 1: the slightest sound of trouble. The banging on the door 67 00:05:17,000 --> 00:05:18,750 Speaker 1: grew louder and more desperate. 68 00:05:19,380 --> 00:05:20,540 Speaker 2: Let us in! 69 00:05:21,720 --> 00:05:25,900 Speaker 1: Joanna shouted from the other side. The disciples sighed in relief. 70 00:05:26,500 --> 00:05:31,169 Speaker 1: and let in Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Salome. The women 71 00:05:31,410 --> 00:05:36,429 Speaker 1: were frantic, beaming with a mixture of joy and terror. 72 00:05:38,370 --> 00:05:41,240 Speaker 3: If God is dead, then so is our hope. But 73 00:05:41,330 --> 00:05:47,279 Speaker 3: God isn't dead. This is the Jesus Podcast. Gospel-inspired stories 74 00:05:47,320 --> 00:05:50,780 Speaker 3: meant to enliven your faith and awaken your potential. If 75 00:05:50,820 --> 00:05:53,560 Speaker 3: you've enjoyed this podcast so far and you're wondering how 76 00:05:53,580 --> 00:05:55,659 Speaker 3: to support us, Share it with a friend and leave 77 00:05:55,700 --> 00:05:58,100 Speaker 3: a review. Doing so will help us get discovered by 78 00:05:58,160 --> 00:06:01,250 Speaker 3: others so they can be inspired by the story of Jesus. 79 00:06:02,210 --> 00:06:04,470 Speaker 3: We're spending the month of April immersing ourselves in the 80 00:06:04,529 --> 00:06:08,010 Speaker 3: events following Easter. We often see the resurrection as a 81 00:06:08,070 --> 00:06:10,770 Speaker 3: single day and event, but for the disciples, it was 82 00:06:10,810 --> 00:06:13,979 Speaker 3: an unfolding drama. They had to slowly come to terms 83 00:06:14,000 --> 00:06:17,080 Speaker 3: with the resurrection, who Jesus truly was, and what it 84 00:06:17,100 --> 00:06:20,100 Speaker 3: all meant for them. The disciples' slow discovery of the 85 00:06:20,140 --> 00:06:23,589 Speaker 3: resurrection gives us some hope. Sometimes we take a while 86 00:06:23,630 --> 00:06:25,650 Speaker 3: to see Jesus for who he really is and what 87 00:06:25,690 --> 00:06:28,410 Speaker 3: he's doing in our lives. Our lives can be a 88 00:06:28,490 --> 00:06:32,770 Speaker 3: slow-moving ship, sometimes taking ages to change course. Thank the 89 00:06:32,810 --> 00:06:35,240 Speaker 3: Lord for his patience towards the disciples as they figured 90 00:06:35,250 --> 00:06:38,060 Speaker 3: everything out. And thank the Lord for his patience towards 91 00:06:38,180 --> 00:06:40,820 Speaker 3: us as we wrestle with the resurrection and how to 92 00:06:40,860 --> 00:06:45,039 Speaker 3: live lives that honor him. Today's episode is an emotional rollercoaster, 93 00:06:45,300 --> 00:06:48,880 Speaker 3: following John, Peter, and Mary in the aftermath of his crucifixion. 94 00:06:49,529 --> 00:06:51,590 Speaker 3: At this point in the story, the angels have told 95 00:06:51,630 --> 00:06:55,270 Speaker 3: Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Salome, and the other Mary that Jesus 96 00:06:55,350 --> 00:06:58,890 Speaker 3: has risen. They aren't sure how to communicate what they've heard. 97 00:06:59,410 --> 00:07:02,870 Speaker 3: Everyone is still stuck in a fog of confusion and fatigue. 98 00:07:03,550 --> 00:07:06,770 Speaker 3: But as the light of Jesus' resurrection rises, the fog 99 00:07:06,790 --> 00:07:10,050 Speaker 3: will lift. Let's dive back into our story. Afterwards, we're 100 00:07:10,070 --> 00:07:12,870 Speaker 3: going to pay special attention to the story of Mary 101 00:07:13,270 --> 00:07:15,870 Speaker 3: and how her dark past reveals the light of Christ. 102 00:07:17,980 --> 00:07:22,320 Speaker 1: The women shook their heads in disbelief and terror. It's Jesus, 103 00:07:23,000 --> 00:07:24,500 Speaker 1: Mary said, gasping for air. 104 00:07:25,020 --> 00:07:29,300 Speaker 2: They've taken him away, or he's out of his tomb, or. 105 00:07:30,160 --> 00:07:33,620 Speaker 1: Mary struggled to find the words. Her hands were shaking 106 00:07:33,660 --> 00:07:37,440 Speaker 1: with grief and confusion. She looked at Peter and sighed. 107 00:07:38,100 --> 00:07:39,520 Speaker 2: We don't know where he is. 108 00:07:40,360 --> 00:07:40,640 Speaker 3: What? 109 00:07:41,400 --> 00:07:44,620 Speaker 1: Peter shouted indignantly. They took him. 110 00:07:45,820 --> 00:07:46,460 Speaker 2: Who's they? 111 00:07:47,770 --> 00:07:50,470 Speaker 1: It's not that simple, Joanna replied. 112 00:07:50,670 --> 00:07:54,630 Speaker 2: There was a man or something else who told us 113 00:07:54,670 --> 00:07:54,970 Speaker 2: he was. 114 00:07:55,850 --> 00:07:59,790 Speaker 1: Joanna didn't have the chance to finish explaining. Peter ran 115 00:07:59,970 --> 00:08:03,310 Speaker 1: out the door and sprinted toward the tomb. He ran 116 00:08:03,370 --> 00:08:06,650 Speaker 1: like a man possessed, desperate to see the empty tomb 117 00:08:06,710 --> 00:08:11,350 Speaker 1: for himself. John followed after him, and Mary was far behind. 118 00:08:12,090 --> 00:08:15,450 Speaker 1: Peter's large frame struggled up the winding path to the 119 00:08:15,590 --> 00:08:20,320 Speaker 1: olive grove, John, being the youngest disciple, quickly gained on him. 120 00:08:21,340 --> 00:08:25,080 Speaker 1: The two descended the path, surrounded by blooming jasmine and 121 00:08:25,180 --> 00:08:29,240 Speaker 1: olive trees. John arrived first and stopped at its entrance. 122 00:08:30,080 --> 00:08:32,360 Speaker 1: He placed a hand on the stone that had been 123 00:08:32,420 --> 00:08:35,780 Speaker 1: rolled away. He glanced inside and whispered. 124 00:08:36,550 --> 00:08:37,510 Speaker 3: He's gone. 125 00:08:37,870 --> 00:08:41,010 Speaker 1: But this time, he said it with a tinge of hope. 126 00:08:42,070 --> 00:08:44,890 Speaker 1: Peter arrived at the tomb, gasping for breath and holding 127 00:08:44,929 --> 00:08:49,770 Speaker 1: his knees. His eyebrows, once furling with intensity, turned upward 128 00:08:49,830 --> 00:08:55,740 Speaker 1: into confusion. He slowly stepped forward into the grave. Peter 129 00:08:55,900 --> 00:08:59,720 Speaker 1: stepped softly as he approached the stone bed carved into 130 00:08:59,760 --> 00:09:06,210 Speaker 1: the side. There, Jesus' linen grave cloths were neatly folded. 131 00:09:06,710 --> 00:09:11,290 Speaker 1: He's gone, Peter said in disbelief. John entered the tomb 132 00:09:11,350 --> 00:09:16,330 Speaker 1: behind Peter. The two of them stared in awe. Neither 133 00:09:16,410 --> 00:09:19,510 Speaker 1: knew what they were witnessing, but the air was thick 134 00:09:19,610 --> 00:09:24,470 Speaker 1: with glory and hope. Something had happened in this tomb, 135 00:09:25,110 --> 00:09:32,010 Speaker 1: something beyond comprehension. A voice said from behind. The disciples 136 00:09:32,070 --> 00:09:35,480 Speaker 1: turned to see Mary Magdalene at the tomb's entrance. Her 137 00:09:35,530 --> 00:09:40,320 Speaker 1: countenance was anxious and frenetic. John and Peter knew Mary's past. 138 00:09:41,000 --> 00:09:43,920 Speaker 1: They had witnessed firsthand Mary's struggle to hold on to 139 00:09:43,960 --> 00:09:48,350 Speaker 1: her sanity. Mary's breath was frantic, and her face revealed 140 00:09:48,410 --> 00:09:49,870 Speaker 1: a deep well of hurt. 141 00:09:50,700 --> 00:09:54,040 Speaker 2: We can't even come to visit his body anymore. 142 00:09:56,120 --> 00:09:58,110 Speaker 1: John gently touched Mary's shoulders. 143 00:09:58,550 --> 00:10:01,069 Speaker 3: Come back to the house with us, Mary. We don't 144 00:10:01,140 --> 00:10:04,130 Speaker 3: know what will happen next. We need to pray and 145 00:10:04,170 --> 00:10:04,690 Speaker 3: be together. 146 00:10:05,390 --> 00:10:07,349 Speaker 1: Mary recoiled and shook her head. 147 00:10:07,870 --> 00:10:08,170 Speaker 2: No! 148 00:10:09,330 --> 00:10:10,130 Speaker 1: Her voice cracked. 149 00:10:10,809 --> 00:10:14,890 Speaker 2: I'm going to stay here. You two go and be 150 00:10:14,950 --> 00:10:15,750 Speaker 2: with the others. 151 00:10:17,160 --> 00:10:20,459 Speaker 1: Peter and John gave Mary a reassuring smile and left. 152 00:10:21,530 --> 00:10:24,929 Speaker 1: They walked back up the dirt path, wondering what had 153 00:10:25,050 --> 00:10:30,510 Speaker 1: happened to Jesus. A whirlwind of uncertainty swirled around in 154 00:10:30,530 --> 00:10:35,760 Speaker 1: their minds. Peter's heart was still heavy with shame, and 155 00:10:35,800 --> 00:10:39,920 Speaker 1: John struggled with what to tell Jesus' mother. As they 156 00:10:39,980 --> 00:10:43,700 Speaker 1: walked back, the two disciples fell out of view, and 157 00:10:43,740 --> 00:10:48,170 Speaker 1: Mary was left alone in the garden. She leaned against 158 00:10:48,230 --> 00:10:52,339 Speaker 1: the stone walls outside the grave. placed her head between 159 00:10:52,360 --> 00:10:57,959 Speaker 1: her knees, and wept. Her eyes were closed, memories of 160 00:10:58,000 --> 00:11:02,000 Speaker 1: her past stabbing her mind like a rusty blade. What 161 00:11:02,040 --> 00:11:06,179 Speaker 1: am I going to do without you? Mary whispered in 162 00:11:06,220 --> 00:11:09,940 Speaker 1: a broken voice. She felt her mind beginning to slip 163 00:11:10,000 --> 00:11:14,189 Speaker 1: away into the darkness. The demons of her past were 164 00:11:14,250 --> 00:11:18,670 Speaker 1: slowly tugging at her heart, pulling her back into despair. 165 00:11:19,790 --> 00:11:20,809 Speaker 2: No, no. 166 00:11:23,929 --> 00:11:28,890 Speaker 1: Mary said repeatedly. Her weeping was a mixture of grief, confusion, 167 00:11:29,490 --> 00:11:35,040 Speaker 1: and fear. Mary was in free fall. Then a gentle 168 00:11:35,080 --> 00:11:39,280 Speaker 1: voice called out to her from the garden. Woman, why 169 00:11:39,620 --> 00:11:43,760 Speaker 1: are you weeping? Mary didn't look up, supposing the man 170 00:11:43,900 --> 00:11:44,640 Speaker 1: to be the gardener. 171 00:11:44,660 --> 00:11:49,950 Speaker 2: Sir, have you carried him away? Do you know where 172 00:11:49,970 --> 00:11:54,980 Speaker 2: he is? Tell me so... I can take him away. 173 00:11:56,140 --> 00:11:59,900 Speaker 1: The man slowly approached Mary and stood over her, his 174 00:11:59,980 --> 00:12:04,990 Speaker 1: figure silhouetted by the afternoon sun. Mary still refused to 175 00:12:05,030 --> 00:12:08,689 Speaker 1: look up at him, afraid of looking anyone in the eyes. 176 00:12:09,929 --> 00:12:12,209 Speaker 1: The man's voice called out to her like a soft 177 00:12:12,290 --> 00:12:17,740 Speaker 1: breeze blowing in from the coast. Mary, he said tenderly, 178 00:12:18,940 --> 00:12:23,530 Speaker 1: and that's all it took. Mary looked up The sun's 179 00:12:23,610 --> 00:12:27,660 Speaker 1: rays were scattering behind him, and her vision was foggy 180 00:12:27,940 --> 00:12:33,500 Speaker 1: from tears. But she knew it was him. The moment 181 00:12:33,559 --> 00:12:37,260 Speaker 1: he said her name, she knew beyond a doubt that 182 00:12:37,340 --> 00:12:44,170 Speaker 1: her Savior was alive. That moment, the dam of pent-up worry, shame, 183 00:12:44,230 --> 00:12:48,430 Speaker 1: and hopelessness burst. She leaped for Jesus like a little 184 00:12:48,550 --> 00:12:55,020 Speaker 1: girl to her father. She shouted with pure delight. Her 185 00:12:55,120 --> 00:12:58,660 Speaker 1: tears of sorrow were replaced with tears of joy as 186 00:12:58,700 --> 00:13:04,199 Speaker 1: she clung to him. Mary looked up at Jesus. His 187 00:13:04,280 --> 00:13:08,840 Speaker 1: smile shone brighter than the sun behind him. The cold 188 00:13:08,980 --> 00:13:12,720 Speaker 1: and dark pull of her past loosened its grip on 189 00:13:12,760 --> 00:13:18,439 Speaker 1: her heart, and she felt free once again. Her hope 190 00:13:18,800 --> 00:13:23,690 Speaker 1: was alive. Jesus propped her up and placed two gentle 191 00:13:23,750 --> 00:13:28,370 Speaker 1: hands on her shoulders. With love beaming from his voice, 192 00:13:28,410 --> 00:13:28,770 Speaker 1: he said. 193 00:13:29,429 --> 00:13:32,400 Speaker 2: Don't cling to me, Mary, for I haven't yet ascended 194 00:13:32,440 --> 00:13:35,980 Speaker 2: to my Father. Go and tell my brothers I am 195 00:13:36,040 --> 00:13:40,060 Speaker 2: going to them before ascending to my Father and your Father, 196 00:13:40,860 --> 00:13:41,800 Speaker 2: to my God. 197 00:13:42,260 --> 00:13:48,780 Speaker 1: And your God. Mary, renewed with purpose, nodded and bowed 198 00:13:48,840 --> 00:13:53,850 Speaker 1: to Jesus. before ascending up the dirt path. She passed 199 00:13:53,870 --> 00:13:57,660 Speaker 1: through the canopy of olive trees, heart fluttering with freedom. 200 00:13:59,240 --> 00:14:04,319 Speaker 1: Before descending the hill, she looked back. Jesus had disappeared. 201 00:14:05,920 --> 00:14:10,120 Speaker 1: Mary looked at the grave. She knew at that moment 202 00:14:10,980 --> 00:14:15,880 Speaker 1: that her dark and tormented past was buried in that grave. 203 00:14:24,090 --> 00:14:26,310 Speaker 3: If only we could see our own lives like we 204 00:14:26,350 --> 00:14:29,170 Speaker 3: see the Bible, from a bird's eye view with commentary 205 00:14:29,250 --> 00:14:31,670 Speaker 3: on what God is doing and sermons on how he's 206 00:14:31,710 --> 00:14:34,790 Speaker 3: transforming our life even though we don't know it. Because 207 00:14:34,830 --> 00:14:37,250 Speaker 3: we see Mary here in this hopeless state, bawling her 208 00:14:37,370 --> 00:14:39,460 Speaker 3: eyes out because she thinks the body of Jesus has 209 00:14:39,480 --> 00:14:42,880 Speaker 3: been taken. Little does she know that Jesus is risen 210 00:14:43,100 --> 00:14:46,180 Speaker 3: and alive. The sting of the crucifixion is still there. 211 00:14:46,700 --> 00:14:48,780 Speaker 3: It only happened a few days ago, and although there 212 00:14:48,820 --> 00:14:51,600 Speaker 3: were hints at the resurrection, it didn't fully compute with 213 00:14:51,620 --> 00:14:55,030 Speaker 3: the followers of Jesus. Right now, it seems as though 214 00:14:55,170 --> 00:14:59,990 Speaker 3: sin has won. Here's the reality. Without the resurrection, none 215 00:15:00,010 --> 00:15:03,050 Speaker 3: of our faith matters. None of this holds any weight 216 00:15:03,110 --> 00:15:05,930 Speaker 3: because we're unable to spar with what really plagues us, 217 00:15:05,990 --> 00:15:09,890 Speaker 3: and that's sin and death. Without the resurrection, we're doomed 218 00:15:10,100 --> 00:15:13,120 Speaker 3: to a kind of nihilism. Paul says this in 1 219 00:15:13,120 --> 00:15:16,060 Speaker 3: Corinthians 15, But if there is no resurrection of the dead, 220 00:15:16,080 --> 00:15:18,760 Speaker 3: then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ 221 00:15:18,800 --> 00:15:20,920 Speaker 3: has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain 222 00:15:21,080 --> 00:15:23,100 Speaker 3: and your faith is in vain. We are even found 223 00:15:23,120 --> 00:15:26,250 Speaker 3: to be misrepresenting God because we testified about God that 224 00:15:26,500 --> 00:15:29,390 Speaker 3: he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it 225 00:15:29,450 --> 00:15:31,430 Speaker 3: is true that the dead are not raised. For if 226 00:15:31,470 --> 00:15:34,330 Speaker 3: the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 227 00:15:34,510 --> 00:15:36,550 Speaker 3: And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is 228 00:15:36,610 --> 00:15:39,570 Speaker 3: futile and you are still in your sins. Then those 229 00:15:39,650 --> 00:15:42,030 Speaker 3: who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. And if 230 00:15:42,110 --> 00:15:44,910 Speaker 3: in Christ we have hope in this life only, we 231 00:15:45,150 --> 00:15:46,810 Speaker 3: are of all people to be most pitied. 232 00:15:47,410 --> 00:15:48,350 Speaker 1: What Paul says is. 233 00:15:48,450 --> 00:15:51,990 Speaker 3: True from a literal and an ideological sense. If Christ 234 00:15:52,030 --> 00:15:54,270 Speaker 3: claims to rid us of death, but he himself couldn't 235 00:15:54,340 --> 00:15:57,080 Speaker 3: conquer it, then what use is it following him? What 236 00:15:57,240 --> 00:16:00,300 Speaker 3: use is it following him for salvation? If he himself 237 00:16:00,360 --> 00:16:02,940 Speaker 3: could not overcome death, then why are we following him 238 00:16:03,020 --> 00:16:06,479 Speaker 3: for eternal life? And if our faith can't hold up 239 00:16:06,520 --> 00:16:09,500 Speaker 3: with that which truly plagues humanity and solves the core 240 00:16:09,600 --> 00:16:12,660 Speaker 3: issues of sin, death, and destruction, then what are we 241 00:16:12,720 --> 00:16:15,970 Speaker 3: wasting our time with? Do you remember that famous quote 242 00:16:16,010 --> 00:16:19,490 Speaker 3: from Nietzsche? He made this declaration. God is dead. God 243 00:16:19,550 --> 00:16:21,830 Speaker 3: remains dead and we have killed him. How should we 244 00:16:22,130 --> 00:16:25,670 Speaker 3: comfort ourselves, the murderers of all murderers? What was holiest 245 00:16:25,710 --> 00:16:28,070 Speaker 3: and mightiest of all that the world has yet owned 246 00:16:28,130 --> 00:16:30,770 Speaker 3: has bled to death under our knives. Who will wipe 247 00:16:30,810 --> 00:16:33,810 Speaker 3: this blood off us? What water is there for us 248 00:16:33,850 --> 00:16:37,170 Speaker 3: to clean ourselves? What festivals of atonement, what sacred games 249 00:16:37,240 --> 00:16:40,140 Speaker 3: shall we have to invent? Is not the greatness of 250 00:16:40,180 --> 00:16:43,040 Speaker 3: this deed too great for us? Must we ourselves not 251 00:16:43,080 --> 00:16:46,090 Speaker 3: become gods simply to appear worthy of it? Atheists have 252 00:16:46,130 --> 00:16:48,630 Speaker 3: had a field day with this quote from Nietzsche, thinking 253 00:16:48,670 --> 00:16:52,510 Speaker 3: that it somehow is this sarcastic and victorious declaration that 254 00:16:52,530 --> 00:16:55,390 Speaker 3: we're in a post-religious world. We've killed God and we 255 00:16:55,430 --> 00:16:59,200 Speaker 3: don't need him. But this quote is not a declaration 256 00:16:59,340 --> 00:17:02,380 Speaker 3: of victory. Nietzsche says God is dead not in victory 257 00:17:02,420 --> 00:17:05,720 Speaker 3: but with sadness. Because in a post-God world, we are 258 00:17:05,740 --> 00:17:08,640 Speaker 3: left to our own devices, yielded to nothing greater than ourselves. 259 00:17:09,150 --> 00:17:11,850 Speaker 3: No upward direction that calls us to something higher or 260 00:17:11,890 --> 00:17:15,709 Speaker 3: keeps us accountable. Nietzsche feared that we as human beings 261 00:17:15,790 --> 00:17:19,190 Speaker 3: aren't capable of handling a world without God. If God 262 00:17:19,250 --> 00:17:21,710 Speaker 3: is dead, we are just like Mary. Our faces are 263 00:17:21,760 --> 00:17:25,980 Speaker 3: buried in our hands, trapped in nihilism and despair. You see, 264 00:17:26,060 --> 00:17:30,100 Speaker 3: Mary's life was not easy. Mary experienced firsthand all sorts 265 00:17:30,140 --> 00:17:33,120 Speaker 3: of tragedies. In Luke chapter 8, we are told that 266 00:17:33,220 --> 00:17:37,760 Speaker 3: Mary had many demons. Mary's surname was Magdalene, which means 267 00:17:37,820 --> 00:17:40,290 Speaker 3: that she was probably from the fishing village of Magdala. 268 00:17:40,850 --> 00:17:43,810 Speaker 3: Certain scholars believe she was a wealthy woman, although most 269 00:17:43,890 --> 00:17:46,770 Speaker 3: likely an outcast because she was plagued with seven demons. 270 00:17:47,490 --> 00:17:50,300 Speaker 3: You can imagine her fear at this moment when she's 271 00:17:50,650 --> 00:17:52,260 Speaker 3: sitting before the grave of Jesus. 272 00:17:52,780 --> 00:17:53,600 Speaker 1: If Jesus is. 273 00:17:53,580 --> 00:17:56,820 Speaker 3: Dead and there isn't even a monument she could visit 274 00:17:56,859 --> 00:17:59,660 Speaker 3: to connect herself with him, then will she slip back 275 00:17:59,700 --> 00:18:03,530 Speaker 3: into darkness? If Jesus is dead, Mary is a demoniac 276 00:18:03,570 --> 00:18:06,689 Speaker 3: woman defined by her abuse and her abusers, thrashing in 277 00:18:06,730 --> 00:18:10,230 Speaker 3: a life of dysfunction and despair. If God is dead, 278 00:18:10,670 --> 00:18:14,030 Speaker 3: then so is hope. But if God is alive, then 279 00:18:14,050 --> 00:18:18,129 Speaker 3: the opposite is true. Mary beheld the risen God, but 280 00:18:18,210 --> 00:18:21,630 Speaker 3: she didn't recognize him at first. And I find that 281 00:18:21,650 --> 00:18:24,490 Speaker 3: scene fascinating because Jesus is right in front of her. 282 00:18:25,100 --> 00:18:27,679 Speaker 3: She thinks that he's perhaps the gardener tending to the 283 00:18:27,720 --> 00:18:31,590 Speaker 3: garden around Jesus' grave. And even though she might not 284 00:18:31,690 --> 00:18:34,830 Speaker 3: literally have her face in her hands, she's still unable 285 00:18:34,869 --> 00:18:36,830 Speaker 3: to see what's right in front of her. There's a 286 00:18:36,890 --> 00:18:40,800 Speaker 3: shroud of grief that is preventing her from truly seeing Jesus. 287 00:18:41,320 --> 00:18:45,320 Speaker 3: And wow, isn't that the case for so many of us? Grief, shame, 288 00:18:45,380 --> 00:18:48,680 Speaker 3: habitual sin. So much can blur the view we have 289 00:18:48,740 --> 00:18:51,400 Speaker 3: of Jesus. He could be speaking right to our faces, 290 00:18:51,580 --> 00:18:54,139 Speaker 3: and we wouldn't know it because we're too consumed with 291 00:18:54,180 --> 00:18:58,929 Speaker 3: our emotions and our hopelessness. But then something brilliant happens. 292 00:18:59,660 --> 00:19:04,300 Speaker 3: Jesus says her name. And Jesus said to her, Mary. 293 00:19:04,820 --> 00:19:07,810 Speaker 3: She turned and said to him in Aramaic, Rabboni, which 294 00:19:07,880 --> 00:19:11,710 Speaker 3: means teacher. Jesus called her by name and her eyes 295 00:19:11,750 --> 00:19:15,570 Speaker 3: were opened. If you get nothing else from this podcast, 296 00:19:15,710 --> 00:19:19,050 Speaker 3: I want you to understand this. Jesus doesn't just call 297 00:19:19,170 --> 00:19:22,370 Speaker 3: all of us generally. He calls out to you specifically. 298 00:19:22,869 --> 00:19:27,170 Speaker 3: Your sins, your shame, your hopelessness, your past. Jesus sees 299 00:19:27,250 --> 00:19:32,350 Speaker 3: you as an individual. He calls you individually. Jesus died 300 00:19:32,369 --> 00:19:34,909 Speaker 3: for the whole world, yes, but hear me now. He 301 00:19:34,950 --> 00:19:37,290 Speaker 3: died for you, and he is calling out to you. 302 00:19:37,609 --> 00:19:39,860 Speaker 3: He wants to lift you up out of your despair. 303 00:19:40,080 --> 00:19:42,760 Speaker 3: He wants to lift you up out of brokenness. We 304 00:19:42,800 --> 00:19:45,560 Speaker 3: have a personal God who would have endured all of 305 00:19:45,600 --> 00:19:47,840 Speaker 3: the cross, all of the beating, all of the scourging, 306 00:19:48,280 --> 00:19:51,270 Speaker 3: even if he was only doing it for you. When 307 00:19:51,310 --> 00:19:54,149 Speaker 3: Jesus calls us by name, we find ourselves looking up 308 00:19:54,470 --> 00:19:58,450 Speaker 3: instead of down. Mary clings to Jesus, wraps her arms 309 00:19:58,490 --> 00:20:02,359 Speaker 3: around his legs because he's finally here and she doesn't 310 00:20:02,400 --> 00:20:05,340 Speaker 3: want to let go, but she has to. Jesus tells 311 00:20:05,400 --> 00:20:07,840 Speaker 3: her not to cling to him. She says, go and 312 00:20:07,880 --> 00:20:10,080 Speaker 3: tell the others what you have seen and what you 313 00:20:10,119 --> 00:20:14,640 Speaker 3: have heard. Two details are critically important about that. One, 314 00:20:14,820 --> 00:20:18,050 Speaker 3: as we've covered, Mary was a former demoniac. Jesus cast 315 00:20:18,160 --> 00:20:21,690 Speaker 3: seven demons out of her. Two, Mary was a woman, 316 00:20:21,850 --> 00:20:24,330 Speaker 3: and at that time, a woman wasn't even considered a 317 00:20:24,369 --> 00:20:29,330 Speaker 3: reliable witness in court. Their testimony wasn't considered valid. And 318 00:20:29,380 --> 00:20:32,670 Speaker 3: so if anyone was unqualified to be the first to 319 00:20:32,750 --> 00:20:36,530 Speaker 3: herald in the resurrected Jesus, wouldn't it be Mary, a 320 00:20:36,590 --> 00:20:41,429 Speaker 3: demoniac woman? Yet Mary, this former demoniac and woman, is 321 00:20:41,530 --> 00:20:45,090 Speaker 3: chosen to be the first to proclaim Jesus' resurrection. She 322 00:20:45,130 --> 00:20:48,410 Speaker 3: is the first evangelist proclaiming the good news. This would 323 00:20:48,450 --> 00:20:50,810 Speaker 3: be the last person you would expect to testify to 324 00:20:50,850 --> 00:20:53,929 Speaker 3: something credible and reliable, but to Jesus, she was the 325 00:20:54,030 --> 00:20:57,850 Speaker 3: perfect person to proclaim the resurrection. Her pain makes her 326 00:20:57,890 --> 00:21:01,030 Speaker 3: healing all the more exceptional. Her fear makes her boldness 327 00:21:01,109 --> 00:21:04,050 Speaker 3: all the more compelling. Her sorrow makes her passion all 328 00:21:04,090 --> 00:21:08,290 Speaker 3: the more profound. Mary Magdalene is a perfect example of 329 00:21:08,330 --> 00:21:11,129 Speaker 3: what the resurrection does to you and I. Broken people, 330 00:21:11,310 --> 00:21:14,130 Speaker 3: tortured by our past and sins, lifted out of death 331 00:21:14,210 --> 00:21:16,879 Speaker 3: and into life. It had to be Mary. She was 332 00:21:16,910 --> 00:21:19,560 Speaker 3: in the grave before. She had experienced a type of 333 00:21:19,619 --> 00:21:22,800 Speaker 3: darkness that nobody else had. Her life was an anthem 334 00:21:22,840 --> 00:21:24,000 Speaker 3: to the power of Christ. 335 00:21:24,660 --> 00:21:25,000 Speaker 1: And listen. 336 00:21:25,640 --> 00:21:29,640 Speaker 3: The power of Christ is all that matters. Paul says 337 00:21:29,700 --> 00:21:33,220 Speaker 3: this in 1 Corinthians 2, And I, when I came 338 00:21:33,240 --> 00:21:35,280 Speaker 3: to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the 339 00:21:35,320 --> 00:21:38,220 Speaker 3: testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom, for I 340 00:21:38,270 --> 00:21:40,929 Speaker 3: decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and 341 00:21:40,970 --> 00:21:43,629 Speaker 3: Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and 342 00:21:43,670 --> 00:21:46,230 Speaker 3: in fear and in much trembling, and my speech and 343 00:21:46,270 --> 00:21:49,169 Speaker 3: my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but 344 00:21:49,230 --> 00:21:52,590 Speaker 3: in demonstration of the Spirit of power, so that your 345 00:21:52,670 --> 00:21:55,080 Speaker 3: faith might not rest in the wisdom of men, but 346 00:21:55,100 --> 00:21:57,399 Speaker 3: in the power of God. Today, I want you to 347 00:21:57,480 --> 00:22:00,840 Speaker 3: rid yourself of any fear or pretense that what transforms 348 00:22:00,900 --> 00:22:04,760 Speaker 3: people is eloquent speeches and polished pitches. I want you 349 00:22:04,800 --> 00:22:07,359 Speaker 3: to rid yourself of any pretense that you have to 350 00:22:07,400 --> 00:22:09,760 Speaker 3: have everything put together and have to be the perfect 351 00:22:09,800 --> 00:22:13,570 Speaker 3: type of preacher in order to proclaim the gospel. What 352 00:22:13,640 --> 00:22:16,770 Speaker 3: is Jesus actively doing in your life? Who is Jesus 353 00:22:16,810 --> 00:22:19,950 Speaker 3: to you and what is your testimony? That is what 354 00:22:20,030 --> 00:22:23,310 Speaker 3: matters to people. Go out into the world, no matter 355 00:22:23,350 --> 00:22:25,710 Speaker 3: who you are and what your broken past may be, 356 00:22:26,150 --> 00:22:28,369 Speaker 3: and tell them what Jesus has done for you today. 357 00:22:29,390 --> 00:22:31,070 Speaker 3: In our next episode, we are going to visit the 358 00:22:31,109 --> 00:22:34,060 Speaker 3: dark halls of the high priest courtroom, where the soldiers 359 00:22:34,080 --> 00:22:37,900 Speaker 3: who witnessed the resurrection grapple with what they beheld. Thank 360 00:22:37,920 --> 00:22:41,179 Speaker 3: you for joining us today. For more inspiring stories, encouragements, 361 00:22:41,220 --> 00:22:43,980 Speaker 3: and wisdom to last a lifetime, visit Pray.com.