Here are some ideas for learning and teaching a few of the great principles in Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20-21. And while you’re here, I recommend you check out my free online course, “Seeking Jesus.”
Seeking Jesus–My Best Resource on These Chapters
I’m hopelessly biased, but I think that the Seeking Jesus class on Christ’s Resurrection has some great insights!
Short Clips from Seeking Jesus
I’ve pulled out several short clips from the “Seeking Jesus Course” connected to this week’s readings that you could use as a morning devotional or spiritual thought.
Highly Recommended: Christ’s Resurrection and the Messianic Secret
Highly Recommended: From Seven Demons to the First Witness
Highly Recommended: Feed My Sheep
Several more short clips here.
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Ideas for Learning More About Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20-21
***The Real Message of Easter***
As I think about a typical “Easter talk,” it includes the message that Jesus was resurrected and we will all be resurrected (and that’s certainly true). But have you ever noticed that this is not the main resurrection message in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John?
In the four Gospel accounts the emphasis is not Jesus has been resurrected and you will be also, but rather Jesus has been resurrected and now you need to go tell people about it. In John, Jesus’ last directive to his disciples is to follow him by feeding his sheep. In Matthew, his final command is to go into all the world and make disciples of people from all nations. Mark and Luke have a similar emphasis.
As believers in the Living Christ it’s our opportunity to go tell others the good news that Jesus Christ lives! That’s a key pattern in Christ’s resurrection accounts!
***The Short Ending of Mark***
The earliest manuscripts of The Gospel According to Mark end in verse 8. That means that Mark ends with the young man at the tomb saying to the women, “‘Go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.’ And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid” (Mark 16:7–8). Isn’t that a strange ending…what could it mean? I give one intriguing possibility in this 3-minute video: Christ’s Resurrection and the Messianic Secret
***A Synopsis Study***
A powerful way to know Jesus Christ and understand his Atonement more deeply is to study carefully his life. One such approach is called a synopsis, which entails a side-by-side reading of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), looking for similarities and differences in the accounts. A careful study of key events in the Savior’s life, such as his baptism, the last supper, his experiences in Gethsemane, his trial, crucifixion, and resurrection can help us know him and increase our peace.
I’ve found this is a particularly helpful study approach for learning more about Christ’s Crucifixion. Here is a list of documents that you can use to do your own side-by-side study. For your convenience, I’ve included with both the KJV and NRSV Bible translations (why two translations?), in both Word and PDF documents. Enjoy!
Resurrection Synopsis – KJV (WORD)
Resurrection Synopsis – KJV (PDF)
Resurrection Synopsis – NRSV (WORD)
Resurrection Synopsis – NRSV (PDF)
Handouts for synopsis studies in other areas (e.g., Christ’s Baptism, Crucifixion, and more) are found here.
***More Resources***
For a comprehensive, scholarly treatment of Christ’s resurrection, you might like N.T. Wright’s book, The Resurrection of the Son of God.
This video depicts what the four Gospel accounts teach regarding what happened on the morning Jesus was resurrected.
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I hope these resources are helpful to you in your learning and teaching this week!
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