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The unthinkable has happened: Jesus has been crucified, as you can read in Matthew 27. Let’s read Matthew 27:45-56
From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” – which means “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, “Now leave Him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save Him.” And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely He was the Son of God.”
Among those watching His crucifixion were some women disciples as, you can read in Matthew 27:56
Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for His needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
After the crucifixion Jesus’ body was placed in a tomb and a big stone was placed in front of it. One of the women disciples named Mary Magdalene had seen all of that, as Matthew tells us in Matthew 27:61
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
Early in the morning, on the first day of the week, this same Mary Magdalene returns to the tomb to take care of the body of her Lord, as you can read in John 20:1
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.
Mary Magdalene has gone to the tomb bringing with her all that she needs to take care of her Lord’s body. She has not yet quite decided how she can remove the heavy stone from the tomb but she is fully confident that, once she gets there, somehow she will be able to do so. But then to her shock and horror someone has been on the scene before her and has already removed the stone! This can only mean one thing: the body of her Lord is no longer there. What is she to do now? Let’s read John 20:2 to find out what she does next
So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb and we don’t know where they have put Him.”
Mary Magdalene knows this tragic news is too much for her to bear by herself, so she goes to find Peter and John, to tell them about the loss of the body of the Lord. The two men listen to Mary Magdalene. They are not quite sure if they can believe her. After all, it is still very early in the morning. Therefore, it is possible that Mary accidentally went to the wrong tomb. So they decide they better go and check things out for themselves. They know Jesus is dead, and it is not possible for Him to leave that tomb. Moreover, His tomb is very secure, for the stone in front of it is really very heavy. It takes supernatural strength to remove that stone. Neither they nor Mary possess such strength. How Mary could even consider going there to take care of the Lord’s body all by herself is something they cannot really understand. However, this is not the moment to bring that up, for she is too distraught about the situation. And so Peter and John go to the tomb, followed by Mary, as you can read in John 20:3-10
So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked at the strips of linen lying there but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) Then the disciples went back to their homes.
As soon as the two disciples get to the tomb, they realise that Mary Magdalene is right: the stone has been removed and there is no body to be seen. Strangely enough, the linen, as well as the burial cloth, are there and everything is very neatly folded up. But the body of the Lord is not in sight! They do not know why. Nor do they know what to do about it. Suddenly, they realise that they have left home in such a hurry that they have not had breakfast, so they better get home for some breakfast. After all, there is no point in hanging around the tomb, since there is no body to take care of. At least that is what these two disciples decide. But what about Mary? Does she go back home too? No, for Mary cannot leave the place where she knows the body of her Lord and Master has been laid to rest. He was, and is, everything to her, for he had set her free, as you can read in Luke 8:1-3
After this time Jesus travelled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary called Magdalene from whom 7 demons had been cast out; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Suzanna and many others. These women were helping to support them of their own means.
Jesus had done for her what no other man had ever been able to do for her, including the religious leaders: He had set her free from a number of demons. We do not know how long these demons had afflicted her, nor do we know the manner in which they bothered her. But we do know that which is most important: she was delivered from these demons. The fact that this is specifically mentioned may well mean that it had been a significant event in the ministry of Jesus, and it most certainly was a significant event in the life of Mary Magdalene. It seems very likely that she had been to many of the religious leaders to ask them for help in her predicament, but no one had been able to do anything for her. Then Jesus appeared on the scene and He had been able to do what no one else had been able to do for her: He had set her free from her demonic oppression. That would have filled her with great joy and gratitude, for it was only then that she had begun to live the life God always intended for her to live. She was determined that no family member, friend or neighbour, would prevent her from doing so. She was going to follow her Lord and Saviour no matter where He would lead her. Consequently, she had become a disciple of Him, following Him everywhere He went. Her new lifestyle would have gone against the rules for women in Jewish society for, in Jewish society, women’s lives were regulated by Rabbinical teachings. These teachings restricted the lives of women to their homes, and forbade women to study the word of God. But Mary Magdalene had met Jesus, and He had completely transformed her life. This had given her the courage to put aside many of the restrictions that Jewish society had placed on her, for Jesus had loved her, had given her dignity as a woman, had shown her that she was a daughter of Abraham and, therefore, worthy to receive the blessings of God. So, regardless of any opposition she may have faced from family, friends or neighbours, she became Jesus’ disciple and followed Him all the way to the cross and on to the tomb.
If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ then, like Mary Magdalene, He has liberated you from the restrictions society may have placed on you, and He has restored your dignity. And you too are a child of Abraham by faith, as you can read in Galatians 3:7
Understand then that those who believe are children of Abraham.
Moreover, you are blessed, as Paul writes in Ephesians 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus.
Therefore, you too are to follow Jesus daily, as Mary Magdalene did. Of course, this may not mean that you are to physically leave home as she did. However, you are to leave home in a spiritual sense. With that I mean that you must make Jesus your priority in everything that you say and do, being determined to please Him in every way, rather than trying to please your family, friends or neighbours. Your family, friends or neighbours may well be opposed to you following Jesus, especially when it involves you being set free from restrictions society may have placed on you. Jesus explained this principle in Matthew 10:37-39
Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. Whoever finds his life will lose it and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
You may not have needed to be delivered from seven demons as was the case with Mary Magdalene but, no doubt, Jesus has delivered you from your sinful condition and you have received a new life in Him. You may even have followed other gods in the past but they could not do anything for you. However, having met Jesus you have received eternal life and God wants you to obey Him every day of your life.
Let’s now return to Mary Magdalene. Peter and John have gone back home, but she remains at the place of the tomb. However, her Lord and Saviour is no longer in the tomb. What is she to do? Without Jesus, she is lost and without hope. So, feeling hopeless, she begins to weep. But she does something more, and it is something which does not make any sense in the natural, as you can read in John 20:11-12
But Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent to look over into the tomb, and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
Mary does something which is not very logical for, after all, she has already looked in the tomb and knows that it is empty. This has been confirmed by Peter and John. Why then does she look again? Is she hoping against hope that her Lord’s body will miraculously reappear? That is not what happens. But what happens is something so much more wonderful than Mary Magdalene could have ever imagined. It begins with her seeing two beings she has not seen before: two angels. Very likely, they will have been there when she looked inside the tomb the first time. They will, as well, have been there when Peter and John looked inside the tomb. But somehow she and the other two disciples had not seen them at that time. However, this time she is allowed to see them. Had she left with the other two disciples, she would have missed seeing the angels. And these two angels are somewhat mystified as to why she is crying as, you can read in John 20:13-14
They asked her; “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away”, she said, “and I don’t know where they have put Him.” At this she turned round and saw Jesus standing there but she did not realise that it was Jesus.
Obviously the angels have a very different perspective on the situation but, after all, they are angels and not human beings. So Mary Magdalene tries to explain to them why she carries so much grief. As she is talking to the angels, she turns round and sees another person. He must be the one who can help her find the body of the Lord for it does not seem the angels can do much for her. This man begins to speak to her, as you can read in John 20:15-16
“Woman”, He said, “why are you crying? Who are you looking for?”
Thinking He was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have put Him and I will get Him.”
Mary stops crying and filled with hope, turns to this “Gardener”, for she is convinced that He will be able to help her find the dead body of her Lord. She knows, of course, that her Lord is dead, for she has personally seen Him hang on a cross, being taken off the cross, and placed in a tomb. And this Man does not even have to help her carry the body around. No, she will take care of the body, once she knows where it has been placed, such is her love for her Lord. But then the “Gardener” speaks again, and everything changes for Mary. Let’s read John 20:16
Jesus said to her, “Mary”. She turned towards Him and cried in Aramaic, “Rabboni, which means “Teacher.”
This Man, this “Gardener” knows her by name. The moment she hears Him say her name, she knows she is not speaking to the gardener, for there is only one Person who calls her by her name in the way she hears it: her Lord and Saviour. She does not know how He, who had only so very recently been crucified and buried, can be alive. But she does know it is true! And she is not going to let go of Him ever again. At least that is Mary’s plan, but Jesus has an assignment for her, as you can read in John 20:17
Jesus said, “Do not hold on to Me for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to My brothers and tell them, “I am returning to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.”
Jesus has to go to the Father to let Him know He had accomplished His mission, and Mary Magdalene needs to tell the other disciples that the Lord has risen. And that is what she does, as you can read in John 20:18
Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord”, she said. And she told them that He had said these things to her.
In obedience to Jesus’ words, Mary Magdalene goes and finds the other disciples. What a story she has to tell them, for not only did she have the privilege of seeing two angels, she had the privilege of seeing the Lord. And it was not a hoax, no, it really was the Lord she had seen, for He had called her by her name, as only He could, and she had touched Him so she knew she had not been dreaming. She explains as well that the Lord has gone to His Father to tell Him His task has been accomplished, and that is why He is not here in Person. Mary’s joy is restored to her: her Lord has come back to life. It is true, He has gone away again and she does not know when she will see Him again. But this one thing she knows: He is alive and because of Him she too will live.
God equipped Mary Magdalene for the task He had for her, so she was able to do what He had for her to do. Likewise, God has a task for you to fulfil, and He will you equip you for your task by providing you with His spiritual gift or gifts, so you will be able to do what He has for you to do, as you can read in I Corinthians 12:4-11
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues. All these are the works of one and the same Spirit, and He gives them to each one, just as He determines.
Please remember that whatever the Lord wants you to do, He wants it to be based on love, as you can read in I Corinthians 13:1-2
And now I will show you the most excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of Prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
You can read about the love that God wants you to love others within I Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
As a believer, you have the Holy Spirit living on the inside of you. He desires to display this kind of love as part of the character of God, or the fruit of the Sprit, through you, as you can read in Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Mary Magdalene allowed God to use the circumstances in her life to develop Godly character in her, so God could use her for what He had prepared for her to do. God was able to do this work in her and through her, because Mary Magdalene had developed a very intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus. Therefore, she knew His Voice, and was willing to be obedient to whatever He had for her to do. Likewise, God wants to develop Godly character in you, this fruit of the Spirit, through your circumstances, so that God can use you to minister to others in whatever way He has designed for you. Please remember, that this can only happen as you develop an intimate relationship with Jesus, by reading God’s word and prayer, and by being obedient to do whatever God calls you to do.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Question 1: What has happened?
Answer: The unthinkable has happened; Jesus has been crucified.
Question 2a: According to Matthew 27:45-54 when did darkness come over all the land?
Answer: According to Matthew 27:45-54 darkness came over all the land from the sixth hour
until the ninth hour or from twelve o’clock midday until three o’clock in the afternoon.
Question 2b: According to Matthew 27:45-54 when did Jesus cry out in a loud voice?
Answer: According to Matthew 27:45-54 Jesus cried out in a loud voice about the ninth hour or at three o’clock in the afternoon.
Question 2c: According to Matthew 27:45-54 what did Jesus say when He cried out in a loud voice?
Answer: According to Matthew 27:4 Jesus cried out in a loud voice the words “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani.”
Question 2d: According to Matthew 27:45-54 what do the words “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani” mean?
Answer: According to Matthew 27:45-54 the words “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani” mean “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me.”
Question 2e: According to Matthew 27:45 -54 what did some of those standing there say when they heard the words of Jesus “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani”? Answer: According to Matthew 27:45-54 when some of those standing there heard the words of Jesus “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani”, they said that He was calling Elijah.
Question 2f: According to Matthew 27:45-54 what did one of them do?
Answer: According to Matthew 27:45-54 one of them ran and got a sponge.
Question 2g: According to Matthew 27:45-54 what did that person do with the sponge?
Answer: According to Matthew 27:45-54 that person filled the sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick and offered it to Jesus to drink.
Question 2h: According to Matthew 27:45-54 what did the rest of the people say??
Answer: According to Matthew 27:45-54 the rest of the people said that Jesus should be left alone.
Question 2i: According to Matthew 27:45-54 what did the rest of the people want to wait for?
Answer: According to Matthew 27:45-54 the rest of the people wanted to see if Elijah would come to save Jesus.
Question 2j: According to Matthew 27:45-54 when did Jesus give up His Spirit?
Answer: According to Matthew 27:45-54 Jesus gave up His spirit after He had cried out again in a loud voice.
Question 2k: According to Matthew 27:45-54 what happened the moment Jesus gave up His spirit to the curtain of the temple?
Answer: According to Matthew 27:45-54 the moment Jesus gave up His spirit the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
Question 2l: According to Matthew 27:45-54 what happened to the earth and the rocks the moment Jesus gave up His spirit?
Answer: According to Matthew 27:45-54 the earth shook and the rocks split the moment Jesus gave up His spirit.
Question 2m: According to Matthew 27:45-54 what happened to the tombs the moment
Jesus gave up His spirit?
Answer: According to Matthew 27:45-54 the tombs broke open the moment Jesus gave up
His spirit.
Question 2n: According to Matthew 27:45-54 who were raised to life the moment Jesus gave up His spirit?
Answer: According to Matthew 27:45-54 the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life the moment Jesus gave up His spirit.
Question 2o: According to Matthew 27:45-54 what did the many holy people who were raised to life do?
Answer: According to Matthew 27:45-54 after Jesus’ resurrection the many holy people who were raised to life went into the holy city, Jerusalem, and appeared to many people.
Question 2p: According to Matthew 27:45-54 who were guarding Jesus?
Answer: According to Matthew 27:45-54 the centurion and those with him were guarding
Jesus.
Question 2q: According to Matthew 27:45-54 how did the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus react to the earthquake and all that had happened?
Answer: According to Matthew 27:45-54 the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus were terrified when they saw the earthquake and all that had happened.
Question 2r: According to Matthew 27:45-54 what did the centurion and those with him who
were guarding Jesus say?
Answer: According to Matthew 27:45-54 the centurion and those with him who were
guarding Jesus exclaimed that, surely, Jesus was the Son of God.
Question 3: Who were among those watching Jesus’ crucifixion? Answer: Among those watching Jesus’ crucifixion were some women disciples
Question 4a: According to Matthew 27:55-56 who were there at the crucifixion? Answer: According to Matthew 27:55-56 many women where there, at the crucifixion, watching from a distance.
Question 4b: According to Matthew 27:55-56 where had these women followed Jesus from? Answer: According to Matthew 27:55-56 these women had followed Jesus from Galilee.
Question 4c: According to Matthew 27:55-56 why had these women followed Jesus from Galilee? Answer: According to Matthew 27:55-56 these women had followed Jesus from Galilee to take care of His needs.
Question 4d: According to Matthew 27:55-56 who were among the women who had followed
Jesus from Galilee to take care of His needs?
Answer: According to Matthew 27:55-56 among the women who had followed Jesus from
Galilee to take care of His needs were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James
and Joses and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
Question 5: Where was Jesus’ body placed after the crucifixion? Answer: After the crucifixion Jesus’ body was placed in a tomb and a big stone was placed in front of it.
Question 6: Who had seen Jesus’ body placed in a tomb and a big stone placed in front of it?
Answer: Mary Magdalene had seen Jesus’ body placed in a tomb and a big stone placed in front of it.
Question 7: According to Matthew 27:61 who were sitting opposite the tomb?
Answer: According to Matthew 27:61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting opposite the tomb.
Question 8: Who returns to the tomb on the first day of the week?
Answer: Mary Magdalene returns to the tomb on the first day of the week.
Question 9: At what time of the day does Mary Magdalene returns to the tomb? Answer: Mary Magdalene returns to the tomb early in the morning, on the first day of the week.
Question 10: Why does Mary Magdalene return to the tomb?
Answer: Mary Magdalene returns to the tomb to take care of the body of her Lord.
Question 11a: According to John 20:1 when did Mary Magdalene go to the tomb? Answer: According to John 20:1 Mary Magdalene went to the tomb on the first day of the week.
Question 11b: According to John 20:1 what time of the day was it when Mary Magdalene went to the tomb?
Answer: According to John 20:1 Mary Magdalene went to the tomb when it was still dark.
Question 11c: According to John 20:1 what did Mary Magdalene see when she went to the
tomb early in the morning on the first day of the week?
Answer: According to John 20:1 when Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early in the morning on the first day of the week she saw that the stone had been removed
from the entrance.
Question 12: What has Mary Magdalene brought with her when she has gone to the tomb?
Answer: When Mary Magdalene has gone to the tomb she has brought with her all the she needs to take care of her Lord’s body.
Question 13: What has Mary Magdalene not yet quite decided on?
Answer: Mary Magdalene has not yet quite decided how she can remove the heavy stone from the tomb.
Question 14: What does Mary Magdalene discover to her shock and horror? Answer: Mary Magdalene discovers to her shock and horror that someone has been on the scene before her and has already removed the stone.
Question 15: What can that only mean?
Answer: That can only mean one thing: the body of her Lord is no longer there.
Question 16a: According to John 20:2 who came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple whom Jesus loved, John. Answer: According to John 20:2 Mary Magdalene came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple whom Jesus loved, John.
Question 16b: According to John 20:2 what did Mary Magdalene say to Simon Peter and the other disciple whom Jesus loved, John? Answer: According to John 20:2 Mary Magdalene said to Simon Peter and the other disciple whom Jesus loved, John, that they have taken the Lord out of the tomb and we don’t know where they have put Him.
Question 17: Why does Mary Magdalene go to find Peter and John?
Answer: Mary Magdalene knows the tragic news that Jesus’ body is no longer in the tomb is too much for her to bear by herself so she goes to find Peter and John.
Question 18: What does Mary Magdalene tell Peter and John when she has found them? Answer: Mary Magdalene tells Peter and John about the loss of the body of the Lord when she has found them.
Question 19: Do Peter and John listen to Mary Magdalene?
Answer: Peter and John listen to Mary Magdalene but are not quite sure if they can believe her.
Question 20: Why are Peter and John not quite sure if they can believe Mary Magdalene?
Answer: It is still very early in the morning. Therefore, it is possible that Mary Magdalene accidentally went to the wrong tomb.
Question 21: Who decide to go and check things out for themselves?
Answer: Peter and John decide they better go and check things out for themselves.
Question 22: What do Peter and John know about Jesus?
Answer: Peter and John know that Jesus is dead.
Question 23: What is not possible for Jesus because He is dead?
Answer: It is not possible for Jesus to leave the tomb because He is dead.
Question 24: Why is the tomb very secure?
Answer: The tomb is very secure because the stone in front of it is really very heavy.
Question 25: What kind of strength is needed to remove the stone in front of the tomb?
Answer: Supernatural strength is needed to remove the stone in front of the tomb.
Question 26: Do Peter and John or Mary Magdalene possess supernatural strength? Answer: Neither Peter and John nor Mary Magdalene possess supernatural strength.
Question 27: Can Peter and John really understand how Mary Magdalene could even consider going to the tomb to take care of the Lord’s body all by herself?
Answer: Peter and John cannot really understand how Mary Magdalene could even consider going to the tomb to take care of the Lord’s body all by herself.
Question 28: Why is it not the time for Peter and John to ask Mary Magdalene why she even considered going to the tomb to take care of the Lord’s body all by herself?
Answer: It is not the time for Peter and John to ask Mary Magdalene why she even considered going to the tomb to take care of the Lord’s body all by herself because she is too distraught about the situation.
Question 29a: According to John 20:3-10 who started for the tomb?
Answer: According to John 20:3-10 Peter and the other disciple, John, started for the tomb.
Question 29b: According to John 20:3-10 who outran Peter and reached the tomb first?
Answer: According to John 20:3-10 the other disciple, John, outran Peter and reached the
tomb first.
Question 29c: According to John 20:3-10 what did the other disciple, John, do when he reached the tomb?
Answer: According to John 20:3-10 the other disciple, John, bent over and looked at the strips of linen lying there
Question 29d: According to John 20:3-10 did the other disciple, John, go into the tomb after he had bent over and had seen the strips of linen lying there? Answer: According to John 20:3-10 the other disciple, John, did not go into the tomb after he had bent over and had seen the strips of linen lying there.
Question 29e: According to John 20:3-10 who arrived at the tomb next?
Answer: According to John 20:3-10 Simon Peter next arrived at the tomb.
Question 29f: According to John 20:3-10 what did Simon Peter do when he arrived at the tomb?
Answer: According to John 20:3-10 when Simon Peter arrived at the tomb he went in.
Question 29g: According to John 20:3-10 what did Simon Peter see when he went into the tomb?
Answer: According to John 20:3-10 when Simon Peter went into the tomb he saw the strips of lines lying there as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head.
Question 29h: According to John 20:3-10 what had happened with the cloth?
Answer: According to John 20:3-10 the cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen.
Question 29i: According to John 20:3-10 what did the other disciple, John, who had reached the tomb first, finally do?
Answer: According to John 20:3-10 the other disciple, John, who had reached the tomb first, finally went inside also.
Question 29j: According to John 20:3-10 what happened to the other disciple, John, when he finally went inside the tomb? Answer: According to John 20:3-10 when the other disciple, John, finally went inside the tomb, he saw and believed.
Question 29k: According to John 20:3-10 what did Simon Peter and the other disciple, John, still not understand from Scripture? Answer: According to John 20:3-10 Simon Peter and the other disciple, John, still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.
Question 29l: According to John 20:3-10 what did Simon Peter and the other disciple, John, do after they had been into the tomb?
Answer: According to John 20:3-10 after Simon Peter and the other disciple, John, had been into the tomb they went back to their homes.
Question 30: What do Peter and John realise as soon as they get to the tomb? Answer: As soon as Peter and John get to the tomb they realise that Mary Magdalene is right.
Question 31: What is Mary Magdalene right about?
Answer: Mary Magdalene is right that the stone has been removed from the tomb and there is no body to be seen.
Question 32: What articles are in the tomb? Answer: The strips of lines as well as the burial cloth are in the tomb and everything is neatly folded up.
Question 33: What is not in sight in the tomb?
Answer: The body of the Lord is not in sight in the tomb.
Question 34: Do Peter and John know why the body of the Lord is not in the tomb? Answer: Peter and John do not know why the body of the Lord is not in the tomb. Nor do they know what to do about it.
Question 35: What do Peter and John suddenly realise?
Answer: Peter and John suddenly realise that they have left home in such a hurry that they have not had any breakfast.
Question 36: Where do Peter and John go?
Answer: Peter and John go home for some breakfast.
Question 37: Why is there no point for Peter and John to hang around the tomb? Answer: There is no point for Peter and John to hang around the tomb because there is no body to take care of.
Question 38: Why does Mary Magdalene not go home too?
Answer: Mary Magdalene does not go home too because she cannot leave the place where she knows the body of her Lord and Master has been laid to rest.
Question 39: Why can Mary Magdalene not leave the place where she knows her Lord and
Master has been laid to rest?
Answer: Mary Magdalene cannot leave the place where she knows her Lord and Master has
been laid to rest because He was and is everything to her.
Question 40a: According to Luke 8:1-3 who travelled about from one town and village to
another?
Answer: According to Luke 8:1-3 Jesus travelled about from one town and village to another.
Question 40b: According to Luke 8:1-3 what did Jesus do while travelling about from one town and village to another?
Answer: According to Luke 8:1-3 Jesus proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God while travelling about from one town and village to another.
Question 40c: According to Luke 8:1-3 who were with Jesus while He was travelling about from one town and village to another?
Answer: According to Luke 8:1-3 the twelve disciples were with Jesus while He was travelling about from one town and village to another.
Question 40d: According to Luke 8:1-3 who were also with Jesus while He was travelling about from one town and village to another?
Answer: According to Luke 8:1-3 some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases were also with Jesus while He was travelling about from one town and village to another.
Question 40e: According to Luke 8:1-3 who were the women who had been cured of evil
spirits and diseases and were with Jesus while He was travelling about from
one town and village to another?
Answer: According to Luke 8:1-3 the women who had been cured of evil spirits and
diseases and were with Jesus while He was travelling about from one town
and village to another were Mary Magdalene from whom seven demons had
been cast out; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household;
Suzanna and many other women.
Question 40f: According to Luke 8:1-3 what were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Suzanna and the many other women doing for Jesus? Answer: According to Luke 8:1-3 Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Suzanna and the many other women were helping to support Jesus of their own means.
Question 41: What had Jesus done for Mary Magdalene what no other man had been able to do, including the religious leaders?
Answer: Jesus had set Mary Magdalene free from a number of demons.
Question 42: Do we know how long these demons had afflicted Mary Magdalene?
Answer: We do not know how long these demons had afflicted Mary Magdalene nor do we know the manner in which they bothered her.
Question 43: Was Mary Magdalene’s deliverance a significant event in her life?
Answer: Mary Magdalene’s deliverance was most certainly a significant event in her life.
Question 44: What would have filled Mary Magdalene with great joy?
Answer: Jesus appearing on the scene and setting her free from demonic oppression would have filled her with great joy.
Question 45: What happened to Mary Magdalene after she had been set free by Jesus from demonic oppression?
Answer: Mary Magdalene had only begun to live the life God intended for her to live after she had been set free by Jesus from demonic oppression.
Question 46: What was Mary Magdalene determined about was not going to happen?
Answer: Mary Magdalene was determined that no family member, friend or neighbour
would prevent her from living the life God intended for her to live.
Question 47: Who was Mary Magdalene going to follow after she had been set free by Jesus from demonic oppression?
Answer: Mary Magdalene was going to follow her Lord and Saviour no matter where He would lead.
Question 48: What had Mary Magdalene become?
Answer: Mary Magdalene had become a disciple of Jesus following Him everywhere
He went.
Question 49: Would Mary Magdalene’s lifestyle have gone against the rules for women in
Jewish society?
Answer: Yes, Mary Magdalene’s lifestyle would have gone against the rules for women in
Jewish society for in Jewish society women’s lives were regulated by Rabbinical
teachings.
Question 50: In what way did Rabbinical teachings restrict the lives of Jewish women?
Answer: Rabbinical teachings restricted the lives of Jewish women to their homes and forbade women to study the word of God.
Question 51: Who had Mary Magdalene met? Answer: Mary Magdalene had met Jesus.
Question 52: What had Jesus done for Mary Magdalene?
Answer: Jesus had completely transformed Mary Magdalene.
Question 53: What had happened to Mary Magdalene after she had been completely transformed by Jesus? Answer: The fact that Jesus had completely transformed Mary Magdalene had given her the courage to put aside many of the restrictions that Jewish society had placed on her.
Question 54: Why had Jesus given Mary Magdalene the courage to put aside many of the restrictions that Jewish society had placed on her?
Answer: Jesus had given Mary Magdalene the courage to put aside many of the restriction that Jewish society had placed on her because He had loved her, had given her dignity as a woman, had shown her that she was a daughter of Abraham and, therefore, worthy to receive the blessings of God.
Question 55: To what extend did Mary Magdalene follow Jesus?
Answer: Mary Magdalene became a disciple of Jesus and followed Him all the way to the cross and on to the tomb, regardless of any opposition she may have faced from family, friends or neighbours.
Question 56: If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, what has Jesus done for you?
Answer: If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ then, like Mary Magdalene, He has
liberated you from the restrictions society may have placed on you and He has
restored your dignity.
Question 57: Whose child are you?
Answer: You too are a child of Abraham.
Question 58: According to Galatians 3:7 who are children of Abraham?
Answer: According to Galatians 3:7 those who believe are children of Abraham.
Question 59: According to Ephesians 1:3 who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing?
Answer: According to Ephesians 1:3 the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing.
Question 60: What are you to do, just as Mary Magdalene did?
Answer: You are to follow Jesus daily, just as Mary Magdalene did.
Question 61: Does that mean you are to physically leave home as Mary Magdalene did?
Answer: This may not mean that you are to physically leave home as Mary Magdalene did.
Question 62: How are you to leave home?
Answer: You are to leave home in a spiritual sense.
Question 63: What do I mean when I say that you are to leave home in a spiritual sense?
Answer: When I say that you are to leave home in a spiritual sense I mean that you must make Jesus your priority in everything that you say and do, being determined to please Him in every way rather than trying to please your family, friends or neighbours.
Question 64: Who may well be opposed to you following Jesus, especially when it involves
you being set free from restrictions society may have placed on you?
Answer: Your friends, family or neighbours may well be opposed to you following Jesus,
especially when it involves you being set free from restrictions society may have
placed on you.
Question 65a: According to Matthew 10:37-39 who does Jesus say is not worthy of Him?
Answer: According to Matthew 10:37-39 Jesus says that anyone who does love his father
or mother more than Him is not worthy of Him.
Question 65b: According to Matthew 10:37-39 what does Jesus think of anyone who does not take up his cross?
Answer: According to Matthew 10:37-39 Jesus thinks that anyone who does not take up his cross is not worthy of Him.
Question 65c: According to Matthew 10:37-39 what does Jesus say about anyone who finds his life?
Answer: According to Matthew 10:37-39 Jesus says that anyone who finds his life will lose it.
Question 65d: According to Matthew 10:37-39 what does Jesus say about anyone who loses his life for His sake?
Answer: According to Matthew Jesus says that anyone who loses his life for His sake will find it.
Question 66: What has Jesus done for you?
Answer: You may not have needed to be delivered from seven demons as was the case with Mary Magdalene but, no doubt, Jesus has delivered you from your sinful condition and you have received a new life in Him.
Question 67: What have you received having met Jesus?
Answer: Having met Jesus you have received eternal life.
Question 68: What does God want you to do every day of your life?
Answer: God wants you to obey Him every day of your life.
Question 69: What does Mary Magdalene do after Peter and John have gone back home?
Answer: Mary Magdalene remains at the tomb after Peter and John have gone back home.
Question 70: Who is no longer in the tomb?
Answer: Mary Magdalene’s Lord and Saviour is no longer in the tomb.
Question 71: What is Mary Magdalene’s situation without Jesus?
Answer: Without Jesus Mary Magdalene is lost and without hope.
Question 72: How does Mary Magdalene react to her hopeless situation?
Answer: Mary Magdalene reacts to her hopeless situation by weeping.
Question 73: What does Mary Magdalene do in her hopeless situation?
Answer: Mary Magdalene does something which does not make any sense in the natural.
Question 74a: According to John 20:11-12 who stood outside the tomb crying?
Answer: According to John 20:11-12 Mary Magdalene stood outside the tomb crying.
Question 74b: According to John 20:11-12 what did Mary Magdalene do when she was
crying?
Answer: Mary Magdalene bent to look into the tomb when she was crying.
Question 74c: According to John 20:11-12 who did Mary Magdalene see when she bent to look into the tomb while crying? Answer: According to John 20:11-12 Mary Magdalene saw two angels in white when she bent to look into the tomb while crying
Question 74d: According to John 20:11-12 where were the two angels in white seated when Mary Magdalene looked into the tomb?
Answer: According to John 20:11-12 the two angels were seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot, when Mary Magdalene looked into the tomb.
Question 75: Why does Mary Magdalene do something which is not very logical?
Answer: Mary Magdalene does something which is not very logical because she has already looked in the tomb and knows that it is empty.
Question 76: Who have confirmed that the tomb is empty?
Answer: Peter and John have confirmed that the tomb is empty.
Question 77: Why does Mary Magdalene look in the tomb again?
Answer: Perhaps, Mary Magdalene is hoping against hope that her Lord’s body will miraculously reappear.
Question 78: Does the body of Mary Magdalene’s Lord miraculously reappear?
Answer: No, the body of Mary Magdalene’s Lord does not miraculously reappear but
something happens that is so much more wonderful than she could have ever
imagined.
Question 79: Who does Mary Magdalene see inside the tomb?
Answer: Mary Magdalene sees two beings inside the tomb she has not seen before.
Question 80: Who are the two beings inside the tomb Mary Magdalene sees she has not seen before?
Answer: Mary Magdalene sees two angels inside the tomb she has not seen before.
Question 81: Will the two angels have been inside the tomb when she looked inside it the first time?
Answer: Very likely, the two angels will have been inside the tomb the first time she looked inside.
Question 82: Will the two angels have been inside the tomb when Peter and John looked inside it?
Answer: Very likely, the two angels will have been inside the tomb when Peter and John looked inside it.
Question 83: Would Mary Magdalene have missed seeing the two angels if she had left the tomb at the time that Peter and John left the tomb?
Answer: Mary Magdalene would have missed seeing the two angels if she had left the tomb at the time Peter and John left the tomb.
Question 84: What are the two angels mystified about?
Answer: The two angels are mystified as to why Mary Magdalene is crying.
Question 85a: According to John 20:13-14 what did the two angels ask Mary Magdalene?
Answer: According to John 20:13-14 the two angels asked Mary Magdalene why she is crying.
Question 85b: According to John 20:13-14 what did Mary Magdalene tell the two angels?
Answer: According to John 20:13-14 Mary Magdalene told the two angels that they have taken away her Lord and she does not know where they have put Him.
Question 85c: According to John 20:13-14 what did Mary Magdalene do next?
Answer: According to John 20:13-14 Mary Magdalene turned around.
Question 85d: According to John 20:13-14 who did Mary Magdalene see?
Answer: According to John 20:13-14 Mary Magdalene saw Jesus standing there.
Question 85e: According to John 20:13-14 did Mary Magdalene realise it was Jesus when she saw Him standing there?
Answer: According to John 20:13-14 Mary Magdalene did not realise it was Jesus when she saw Him standing there.
Question 86: Why do the two angels have a very different perspective on the situation than Mary Magdalene?
Answer: The two angels have a very different perspective on the situation than Mary Magdalene because they are angels and not human beings.
Question 87: What does Mary Magdalene try to do?
Answer: Mary Magdalene tries to explain to the two angels why she carries so much grief.
Question 88: What does Mary Magdalene expects the other person she sees to do for her?
Answer: Mary Magdalene expects that the other person she sees will be the one who can
help her find the body of the Lord for it does not seem the two angels can do much
for her.
Question 89: What does this man do? Answer: This man begins to speak to Mary Magdalene.
Question 90a: According to John 20:15-16 what did this man ask Mary Magdalene?
Answer: According to John 20:15-16 this man asked Mary Magdalene why she is crying.
Question 90b: According to John 20:15-16 what other question did this man ask Mary
Magdalene?
Answer: According to John 20: 15-16 this man asked Mary Magdalene who she is looking for.
Question 90c: According to John 20:15-16 who did Mary Magdalene think this man was?
Answer: According to John 20:15-16 Mary Magdalene thought that this man was the gardener.
Question 90d: According to John 20:15-16 what did Mary Magdalene ask this man to do for her?
Answer: According to John 20:15-16 Mary Magdalene asked this man that if he had carried the Lord away could he tell her where he had put Him so she would get Him.
Question 91: What does Mary Magdalene do?
Answer: Mary Magdalene stops crying and filled with hope turns to this “gardener”.
Question 92: Why does Mary Magdalene filled with hope turn to this “gardener” ? Answer: Mary Magdalene filled with hope turns to this “gardener” because she is convinced
that he is able to help her find the dead body of her Lord.
Question 93: Why does Mary Magdalene know that her Lord is dead?
Answer: Mary Magdalene knows that her Lord is dead because she has personally seen Him hang on a cross, being taken off the cross and placed in a tomb.
Question 94: Does this man have to help Mary Magdalene carry the body around?
Answer: This man does not have to help Mary Magdalene carry the body around for she will take care of it once she knows where it has been placed.
Question 95: Why will Mary Magdalene take care of her Lord’s body once she knows where
it has been placed?
Answer: Mary Magdalene will take care of her Lord’s body once she knows where it has
been placed because of her love for Him.
Question 96: Who speaks again to Mary Magdalene?
Answer: The “gardener” speaks again to Mary Magdalene.
Question 97a: According to John 20:16 what did the “gardener” Jesus say to Mary Magdalene?
Answer: According to John 20:16 the “gardener” Jesus said to Mary Magdalene “Mary.”
Question 97b: According to John 20:16 how did Mary Magdalene respond to the
“gardener” Jesus saying to her “Mary”?
Answer: According to John 20:16 Mary Magdalene responded to the “gardener” Jesus to
her “Mary” by crying out to him “Rabboni” or “Teacher.”
Question 97c: According to John 20:16 which language did Mary Magdalene speak when
she answered Jesus?
Answer: According to John 20:16 Mary Magdalene spoke in Aramaic when she answered
Jesus.
Question 98: Who knows Mary Magdalene by name?
Answer: This man, this “gardener”, knows Mary Magdalene by name.
Question 99: What happens to Mary Magdalene the moment she hears this man say her name?
Answer: The moment Mary Magdalene hears this man say her name she knows that she is not speaking to the gardener.
Question 100: Why does Mary Magdalene know that she is not speaking to the gardener?
Answer: Mary Magdalene knows that she is not speaking to the gardener because there is only one Person who calls her by her name in the way she hears it.
Question 101: Who is the only Person who calls her by her name in the way she hears it?
Answer: Mary Magdalene’s Lord and Saviour is the only Person who calls her by her name in the way she hears it.
Question 102: What does Mary Magdalene not know about her Lord and Saviour?
Answer: Mary Magdalene does not know how her Lord and Saviour, who had only so very recently been crucified and buried, can be alive.
Question 103: What does Mary Magdalene know about her Lord and Saviour?
Answer: Mary Magdalene knows it is true that He is alive.
Question 104: What is Mary Magdalene’s plan?
Answer: Mary Magdalene’s plan is not to let go of her Lord and Saviour ever again.
Question 105: What does Jesus has for Mary Magdalene?
Answer: Jesus has an assignment for Mary Magdalene.
Question 106a: According to John 20:17 what did Jesus say to Mary Magdalene?
Answer: According to John 20:17 Jesus said to Mary Magdalene that she was not to hold on to Him.
Question 106b: According to John 20:17 why did Jesus say to Mary Magdalene that she
was not to hold on to Him?
Answer: According to John 20:17 Jesus said to Mary Magdalene that she was not to hold
on to Him because He has not yet returned to the Father.
Question 106c: According to John 20:17 who did Jesus tell Mary Magdalene she is to go to?
Answer: According to John 20:17 Jesus told Mary Magdalene to go to His brothers.
Question 106d: According to John 20:17 what did Jesus tell Mary Magdalene she had to say
to His brothers?
Answer: According to John 20:17 Jesus told Mary Magdalene to say to His brothers that He
is returning to His Father and their Father, to His God and their God.
Question 107: Why does Jesus have to go to the Father?
Answer: Jesus has to go to the Father to let Him know He has accomplished His mission.
Question 108: Why does Mary Magdalene have to go to the other disciples?
Answer: Mary Magdalene has to go to the other disciples to tell them that the Lord has risen.
Question 109a: According to John 20:18 who went to the disciples?
Answer: According to John 20:18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples.
Question 109b: According to John 20:18 what did Mary Magdalene tell the disciples?
Answer: According to John 20:18 Mary Magdalene told the disciples that she had seen the Lord.
Question 110: In obedience to Jesus’ words, what does Mary Magdalene do?
Answer: In obedience to Jesus’ words, Mary Magdalene goes and finds the other disciples.
Question 111: Does Mary Magdalene have to tell the disciples many things? Answer: Mary Magdalene has to tell the disciples many things for not only did she have the privilege of seeing two angels, she had the privilege of seeing the Lord.
Question 112: Was it a hoax that Mary Magdalene had seen the Lord?
Answer: No, it was not a hoax that Mary Magdalene had seen the Lord for she had really seen Him.
Question 113: Why does Mary Magdalene know that she had really seen the Lord?
Answer: Mary Magdalene knows that she had really seen the Lord because He had called
her by her name as only He could and she had touched Him so she has not been
dreaming.
Question 114: What does Mary Magdalene explain to the disciples as well about the Lord?
Answer: Mary Magdalene explains to the disciples that the Lord has gone to His Father to
tell Him His task has been accomplished and that is why He is not with them in
Person.
Question 115: What one thing does Mary Magdalene know?
Answer: Mary Magdalene knows this one thing: Her Lord is alive and because of Him she too will live.
Question 116: Who equipped Mary Magdalene for her task?
Answer: God equipped Mary Magdalene for the task He had for her to do.
Question 117: Does God have a task for you?
Answer: God has a task for you.
Question 118: Will God equip you for your task?
Answer: God will equip you for your task.
Question 119: How does God equip you for your task?
Answer: God will equip you for your task by providing you with His spiritual gift or gifts so you will be able to do what He has for you to do.
Question 120a: According to I Corinthians 12:4-11 what is given to each one?
Answer: According to I Corinthians 12:4-11 to each one is given the manifestation of the
Spirit.
Question 120b: According to I Corinthians 12:4-11 why is to each one the manifestation of
the Spirit given?
Answer: According to I Corinthians 12:4-11 the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each
one for the common good
Question 120c: According to I Corinthians 12:4-11 what is given through the Spirit?
Answer: According to I Corinthians 14:4-11 the message of wisdom, the message of
knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, distinguishing
between spirits, speaking in different kinds of tongues are given through the Spirit.
Question 120d: According to I Corinthians 12:4-11 are the message of wisdom, the message
of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, miraculous powers, prophecy,
distinguishing between spirits, speaking in different kinds of tongues the
works of one and the same Spirit?
Answer: According to I Corinthians 12:4-11 the message of wisdom, the messa knowledge,
faith, gifts of healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, distinguishin between spirits,
speaking in different kinds of tongues are the works of one and the same Spirit.
Question 120e: According to I Corinthians 12:4-11 who determines which gift to give to whom?
Answer: According to I Corinthians 12:4-11 the Holy Spirit determines which gift to give to whom.
Question 121: What are you to remember?
Answer: You are to remember that whatever the Lord wants you to do, He wants it to be based on love.
Question 122a: According to I Corinthians 13:1-2 if I speak in the tongues of men and of angels but have not love, what am I?
Answer: According to I Corinthians 13:1-2 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
Question 122b: According to I Corinthians 13:1-2 if I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge but do not have love, what am I?
Answer: According to I Corinthians 13:1-2 if I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge but do not have love, I am nothing.
Question 122c: According to I Corinthians 13:1-2 if I have a faith that can move mountains but do not have love, what am I?
Answer: According to I Corinthians 13:1-2 if I have a faith that can move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing.
Question 123a: According to I Corinthians 13:4-7 how is love shown?
Answer: According to I Corinthians 13:4-7 love is kind. It does not envy; it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Question 123b: According to I Corinthians 13:4-7 what does love not delight in?
Answer: According to I Corinthians 13:4-7 love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
Question 123c: According to I Corinthians 13:4-7 what does love always do?
Answer: According to I Corinthians 13:4-7 love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Question 124: As a believer, who do you have living on the inside of you? Answer: As a believer you have the Holy Spirit living on the inside of you.
Question 125: What does the Holy Spirit desires to do through you
Answer: The Holy Spirit desires to display God’s kind of love as part of the character of God,
or the fruit of the Spirit, through you.
Question 126: According to Galatians 5:22-23 what is the fruit of the Spirit Answer: According to Galatians 5:22-23 the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Question 127: What did Mary Magdalene allow God to do in her life?
Answer: Mary Magdalene allowed God to use the circumstances in her life to develop Godly character in her.
Question 128: Why did Mary Magdalene allow God to use the circumstances in her life to develop Godly character in her? Answer: Mary Magdalene allowed God to use the circumstances in her life to develop Godly character in her so God could use her for what He had prepared for her to do.
Question 129: Why could God work in and through Mary Magdalene?
Answer: God could work in and through Mary Magdalene because she had developed a very intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus.
Question 130: What did Mary Magdalene know?
Answer: Mary Magdalene knew His Voice and was willing to be obedient to whatever He had for her to do.
Question 131: What does God want to develop in you?
Answer: God wants to develop Godly character in you, this fruit of the Spirit.
Question 132: How does God want to develop Godly character, this fruit of the Spirit, in you?
Answer: God wants to develop Godly character, this fruit of the Spirit, in you through your circumstances.
Question 133: Why does God want to develop Godly character, this fruit of the Spirit, in you? Answer: God wants to develop Godly character, this fruit of the Spirit, in you so that He can use you to minister to others in whatever way He has designed for you
Question 134: How can God use you to minister to others in whatever way He has designed for you?
Answer: God can use you to minister to others in whatever way He has designed for you as you develop an intimate relationship with Jesus by reading God’s word and prayer and by being obedient to whatever He calls you to do.
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