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Mary's Amazing Surprise

Children's sermon
John 20:1-18
Easter Day - C
Arley K. Fadness
Object: 
A labeled box or container that is revealed as empty
“I have seen the Lord.” (v. 18)

Happy Easter morning boys and girls,

Today I have the best news ever to share with you. Are you ready to hear it? (children respond) First, notice I have a container (box or can) with a lid on it. Inside we will find ____________.  (for example: oreo cookies, legos etc.)

So let's see what is inside. (open lid) What do we see? Nothing. What? Aren't there supposed to be ___________ inside?? (children respond)

That's what happened to Mary Magdalene. Mary went to Jesus' tomb. She was shocked to find the stone rolled away from the entrance to the tomb.

Then when she looked in, Jesus' body was gone. Mary got the surprise of her life.

She began to weep. Mary had shed tears many times the last few days of Jesus life.

She cried when they hung Jesus on the cross. She cried when she realized she would no longer see Jesus. And now when she went to Jesus burial place – surprise –  his body was gone!

Surprises happen a lot!  Surprises make you jump, frown, smile. (children respond)

Bad surprises can make you cry.  Good surprises can make you laugh.

When Mary saw Jesus was no longer in the grave, was this a good surprise or a bad surprise? (children guess)

Then the greatest, happiest, most unbelievable surprise in all the universe happened.

Sobbing Mary spoke to the person who appeared next to her saying that someone had taken Jesus' body away. Who was that stranger standing nearby? It was Jesus. He had risen from the dead! Jesus was alive! Wow! Mary turned and said “Rabbouni,” that means “teacher.” Then she recognized Jesus alive. Crying, she wanted to hug Jesus. But Jesus said, “Go tell my brothers.” So she went and told the disciples, “I have seen the Lord.”

Is our “box or can” empty? You bet. Just like Jesus' tomb. But Jesus is alive and with us.

Prayer: Jesus you surprised the world when you rose from the dead. Thanks. Amen.
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