Easter 2026
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Mary (not Jesus’ mother) trusted Jesus, but when reality didn’t match her expectations, she found herself in the painful gap between what she believed and what she could see. In that space of confusion, like us, she filled in the unknown with her own interpretation, assuming the worst rather than understanding what God was doing. The resurrection reveals that what feels like the end is actually the middle of God’s work, giving us a solid foundation to trust Him even when things don’t yet make sense.
- Share about a time when you were really excited about something, but then it didn’t turn out the way you expected. What was that experience like? (This could be anything – a vacation, a movie, a restaurant, a job, etc.)
- In this Easter message, Pastor Jams talked about the gap between trusting God and experiencing things that don’t make sense. What stood out to you most about this concept? About this message?
- Pastor James used the phrase “I trusted God…but now” and gave several examples. Which of those examples (job loss, diagnosis, relationship ending, etc.) felt most relatable to your own life or the lives of people you know?
- Think about a time in your life when you experienced an “I trusted God…but now” moment. How did that situation affect your faith or your view of God?
- Read John 20:1-2. Mary came to the tomb “while it was still dark.” Pastor James said this wasn’t just about time, but also about her condition. What do you think he meant by that?
- When you think about Mary Magdalene’s experience at the empty tomb, what strikes you about her emotional state and her assumptions about what happened?
- In John 20:2, Mary tells the disciples, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb.” What’s significant about her interpretation of the empty tomb versus what had actually happened?
- Pastor James explained that “we fill the gap with what we feel.” What does this mean, and why is this problematic when we’re trying to understand what God is doing?
- Read Luke 24:6. How does the angel’s declaration “He is not here; he has risen!” completely change the meaning of the empty tomb?
- Pastor James said that “feelings were never meant to be your interpreter.” When you’re in confusing or painful circumstances, what feelings do you tend to let interpret the situation? (abandonment, disappointment, fear, etc.)
- Have you ever written “a whole story about God that God never told” based on your circumstances or emotions? What did that story sound like?
- How might the truth “He is risen, so God is still working” change the way you view a current difficult situation in your life?
Prayer
“God, I’ll be honest – there are parts of my life right now that don’t make sense to me. Just like Mary at the tomb, I’ve been looking at my circumstances and trying to figure out what You’re doing, and sometimes I’ve let my feelings write stories about You that You never told.
Help me remember that even when I can’t see what You’re doing, You are still working. When I feel abandoned, remind me that You’re present. When I feel forgotten, remind me that You see me. When I feel like something is over, remind me that You work in the middle of what looks finished.
Thank You that because Jesus is risen, I don’t have to carry what He already conquered. Help me stand on the truth of the resurrection instead of on my emotions. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Mark Your Calendar!
Open Baptism – Haven’t been baptized yet? Just show up this weekend. – April 11 & 12
Serve Day – May 2 – We want everyone to serve our community somehow this day – www.journeyconnect.org/serveday
