From John 20 – “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…But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent down to look into the tomb, and she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and the other at the feet. “Woman, why are you weeping?” they asked.
“Because they have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I do not know where they have put Him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there; but she did NOT recognize that it was Jesus. “Woman, why are you weeping?” Jesus asked. “Whom are you seeking?” Thinking He was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried Him off, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him.”
Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). “Do not cling to Me,” Jesus said, “for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and tell My brothers, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.’”
Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I HAVE SEEN THE LORD!!” (Verses 1 + 11-18 a)
After Jesus was crucified and taken from the cross, he was laid in a tomb for 3 days – just like He prophesied. Mary went to the tomb to anoint the “dead” body of Christ, but He had already been resurrected by Abba Father! The above verses tell us important facts which we can take to heart: – (1) Mary was anxious to anoint the most precious Body in the world! (2) She did not recognize Jesus but (3) Jesus SAW her and (4) called her BY NAME. (5) Mary ran with the good news and exclaimed, “I HAVE SEEN THE LORD!”
Sometimes Jesus is right by us, but we do not recognize Him because our anxieties and doubts overshadow our joyful expectations. When our Lord opens our eyes, we can find pleasure and security in His light and love because He never leaves us, nor forsakes us. We can only imagine the excitement and joy in Mary, that she saw the Lord, that He was alive and had risen! Friends – that is WHY we celebrate Easter Sunday – Jesus is risen! HE IS ALIVE! He sees us. He knows our names and He loves us. Do we recognise the fact that our precious, blessed Lord Jesus, Who gave His very life for us on a gruesome Cross, is alive and interceding for us at the right hand of our Heavenly Father? (Rom. 8:34)
Dearest, most majestic and awesome Father God, thank You so much for sending your One and Only Son to die for me, so that I can find the way to Eternity and everlasting life. Thank you that You caused Jesus to rise again and to be with me always through the presence of the Holy Spirit. Thank You that even when I do not recognise Your presence, You are still with me. Thank You for opening my eyes and please help me to be like Mary and tell others that “I HAVE SEEN THE LORD!”
Myrtle Turunen