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Children’s Sermon

John 20:1-18

Easter: Recognizing Resurrected Jesus

March 31, 2024

Easter Sunday

Lectionary Year B

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ASK (a.k.a The On-Ramp)

Good morning!
To get started, I’m going to make some animal noises, and I want you to tell me what animals those noises belong to, ok?
Moooooo [cow!]
Meeeooooow [cat!]
Baaa-aa-aa-aa [sheep / lamb!]
Woof! Woof! [dog!]
Very good guessing!
Since I don’t look like any of those four animals, how did you know the noise I was making matched up with that type of animal? (Because we know those sounds!)

TELL (a.k.a. The Freeway)

A fancy word we use to describe your knowing of those animal sounds is "recognize."
You recognized those sounds I made.
And the reason you were able to recognize those sounds is because you know a lot about these animals and their sounds, right?
Another way to say it would be to say that you are familiar with those four animals and that’s why you can recognize the sounds that they make.
I bring this up, because in today's scripture story, we hear about Mary's first meeting with Jesus after his resurrection.
And one thing to know about Resurrected Jesus is that he somehow looks different than he did before his resurrection.
We know this because Mary doesn't recognize him right away.
But what we hear in the story is that Resurrected Jesus sounds the same.
So, when Jesus says Mary's name, do you remember what happened?
That's right! Mary recognized Resurrected Jesus by how he spoke to her, by how he said her name.
For the same reason that you were able to recognize certain animals without seeing them, Mary was able to recognize Jesus by the way he said her name - because she was familiar with Jesus and his voice.

SHARE the Good News (a.k.a. The Destination)

What resurrection is, and what it means, is not easily or quickly understood.
Mary, in today’s story, helps us understand that the more familiar we are with Jesus, the easier it is to recognize resurrection and Resurrected Jesus.
This is a good reminder, then, of one of the reasons for why we choose to regularly read and talk about the Jesus stories – as a way for us to become more familiar with Jesus, his actions, and what he taught.
And, the more familiar Jesus is to us, the better we will be at recognizing and understanding resurrection and Resurrected Jesus – just like Mary was.
That is the good news for today. Let’s pray.

CLOSING Prayer

This is a repeat-after-me prayer.

Dear God,

Thank you for all the stories about Jesus…

…that help us be more familiar …

…with who Jesus is…

…so that we can better recognize…

…resurrected Jesus.

Thank you and Amen

Originally posted March 29, 2015

Updated on March 2, 2024
Written and edited by Nathanael Vissia

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Related message(s): Jesus Is Among The Living and Resurrection Is A Team Event