We’ve read the story year
after year. We know that Jesus was crucified, placed in a tomb and resurrected
on the third day. And this is important! But when we take a look at the bigger
picture of Scripture, we see themes and images that come up again and again to
shed even more light on the significance of the Easter story. Just like reading
a good book or watching a gripping movie, we understand that the author is
trying to turn our attention to something greater than the story itself. Over
the course of this series, we look at a few key themes in Scripture—Bread,
Water and Blood—to help weave together the greater story of God’s love for us.
To take the power of the Easter story and allow it to shine in those places
where we need God’s provision, presence and redemption.
Session 1: Provision
(March 8th)
“Give us this day our daily
bread.” This sounds familiar to most of us, even if we haven’t been in church
for very long. But what does this actually mean? What does bread represent? To
the Israelites in the desert, it meant that God would literally provide food
for their groaning bellies. For the people listening to Jesus preach the Sermon
on the Mount, it represented what they needed, both physically and spiritually,
to make it from day to day. And for us, bread represents the One who came to be
our true provision. Jesus can provide for us. He can sustain us. So where do we
need that provision?
Session 2: Presence (March 13th)
“I feel like I’m drowning here.
I just can’t seem to keep my head above water.” Are these phrases you’ve heard
your students say, or maybe you yourself have said? We all deal with the storms
of life and so did many people in Scripture—from Noah, to David and even to
Jesus, as He endured death on the cross. But God promises to be present with
us. And the story of Easter, the story of Jesus’ own separation from God and
triumph over death, is what allows us to find hope in God’s presence. God sent
Jesus to be our Living Water. In the turbulence that we face, we are not alone.
Session 3: Restoration
(March 22nd)
Blood is a word that is often
associated more with medical dramas and shoot-to-kill video games than an
important Biblical concept. But when we hear the word blood in reference to the
Easter story, we know that it is important—we know that it has weight. But why
do we talk so much about “the blood”? What does it actually represent?
Sacrifice? Death? Love? This week, we take a look at where and how blood shows
up throughout Scripture to understand why this symbol that we use so often in
church really matters. To understand that Jesus’ blood is the symbol of a
limitless love coming from a limitless God.