Episode 009 – Victory In The Garden (Resurrection)

Key Passage(s): John 20:1, 11-15

The Resurrection of Jesus is the most significant event in human history, and each of the gospel writers tell the story in a way to highlight different aspects. This teaching explores how John records it, and how he employs the “8th Sign” and “garden” themes to boldly declare that sin, death, pain, brokenness, and chaos do not get the final word.

Discussion Questions

  • What’s your biggest takeaway from the teaching?
  • What amazed you the most about how John told the epic story of Jesus?
  • Did you learn anything new about the relationship between the cross and the empty tomb? If so, what are the implications?
  • What did/do you find most hopeful about the resurrection story?
  • What’s one step you can take in living out the truths of this teaching this week?
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19 Comments

  1. Dale Kleinheksel April 3, 2018 at 5:59 am - Reply

    Very interesting, I have never heard it ptresented this way. Talking of the resurrection, what about in Matthew 28:52-53? What is the deal with these? Were these resuscitations or resurrections?

    • Yves3963 April 3, 2018 at 8:08 am - Reply

      Dale you meant Matt 27:52-53.

    • Brad Gray April 16, 2018 at 1:27 pm - Reply

      Great question, Dale. And no one really knows what’s going on here.

      NT Wright (Matthew for Everyone, p. 192-193) asks, “Did these ‘sleeping’ bodies wake up at Jesus’ death, but wait until Easter morning to go into the city? What did they do then? What happened to them? These and similar questions have encouraged some to think that Matthew intends us to see the story as picture-language, a vivid way of saying ‘from that moment on, death was a defeated force’. Or he may simply, in reporting stories told at the time and afterwards, be happy to leave this as a [Matt 2, p. 193] loose end in his own narrative, a way of saying, ‘From now on, you never know what God’s lifegiving power will achieve!’ It was, of course, a hint of what would come at the end of all things, the great final resurrection of which Paul and others speak.”

      Craig S. Keener (IVP Bible Background Commentary – 2nd Ed, p. 122) states, “Although these raisings of the dead *saints, like those in the Old Testament, do not mean that they will not die again, they prefigure Judaism’s anticipated final resurrection, when the dead will be raised never to die again.”

      So again, no one knows for certain what’s going on here.

  2. Roxanne Bushen April 3, 2018 at 9:33 am - Reply

    Another great teaching adding a new perspective.

  3. Bill Black April 4, 2018 at 6:46 am - Reply

    Since Lucifer was over the mercy seat and knew TORAH in heaven,
    then rebelled
    then YEHOVAH put him in the Garden ? calling him,
    due to his experience with disobedience?
    the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and evil with Adam and Eve
    Or was the tree the TORAH?
    Some call it Jesus?

    • Brad Gray April 16, 2018 at 1:12 pm - Reply

      Lots of different interpretations, Bill. I don’t think it was Jesus or Torah.

  4. Sue Christian April 4, 2018 at 9:22 am - Reply

    Amen!

  5. Roslyn Jackson April 4, 2018 at 10:28 am - Reply

    Thank you so much Brad for such amazing teaching. Thank you for highlighting the links to God’s big story that started right back in Genesis.
    Are there any books you can recommend that share this type of teaching as none of the commentaries I have on John highlight the points you have made?

    • Brad Gray April 16, 2018 at 1:14 pm - Reply

      I don’t have any book ideas. However, if you’re not family with The Bible Project (www.thebibleproject.com), check out their work. They do a fantastic job of connecting the Scriptures together.

  6. Forrest Glass April 4, 2018 at 11:20 am - Reply

    Great job Brad. I so appreciate your passion and excitement as you share your insights into the text. Thank you for another great look at the redemptive work of Jesus.

  7. Don & Cindy April 6, 2018 at 8:35 pm - Reply

    Victory in the Garden… Woo Hoo! Thank you JESUS and thanks Brad for continued great teaching!

  8. Cheri April 7, 2018 at 8:17 am - Reply

    Preach it, Brad!

  9. Susan Lutz April 7, 2018 at 10:10 am - Reply

    Thank you, Brad – this one makes me cry. God’s plan is just overwhelming.

  10. Mary Heyboer April 7, 2018 at 10:17 am - Reply

    Thank you Brad. Ed Is clamining victory because of the empty tomb. This teaching has really helped me see clearly through the garden, to the cross that leads to the empty tomb. Victory✝️

  11. Jo Stone May 24, 2020 at 5:50 pm - Reply

    Hi, Brad. Just watched 8 and 9 back to back. I’d very recently heard teaching on Caesarea Philippi sharing much of the same information. I’ve also been learning about how the Jews really believed the Messiah was coming to conquer the Romans. Putting this all together was so wonderful. I’ve seen you at Discovery so I’m blessed to find this teaching available. Time to binge.

    • Brad Gray May 26, 2020 at 4:46 pm - Reply

      Encouraged to hear that, Jo. Thank you for sharing.

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