On this Easter morning, I am reflecting on how I would have handled my LORD Jesus dying on the cross right before my eyes. I can’t imagine the agony His friends were going through, let alone the excruciating pain my Lord suffered. The passage in John about Mary Magdalene is something I think I can relate too.
Mary was so faithful to go and check on Jesus’ grave. I imagine she just needed to be with her Lord, regardless of the situation. You see, Jesus was not only Mary’s LORD, He was her friend, too. Mary had to make sure everything was right with her Friend’s burial. John chapter 20 tells us that Mary went out there while it was still dark. How much do you want to bet that she didn’t sleep at all the night before and just couldn’t wait to go and check on Jesus. She must have been pretty distressed when she found the stone rolled away from the grave.
Then later at the end of the chapter when everyone had left, Mary couldn’t tear herself away.
John 20:10-16
Then the disciples went back to their homes, 11but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
13They 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.” 14At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
15″Woman,” he said, “why are you crying? Who is it you are 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.”
16Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).
17Jesus 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.’ “
There was no longer any reason to mourn! No longer any need to weep and relive the horrific events of three days prior. For, her LORD Jesus WAS ALIVE!! Everything He said He would do came to fruition and Mary was the first to witness it.
Jesus conquered death. What makes you think that He can’t conquer your issues? Jesus defied everything they said He couldn’t not do. Don’t you think He can handle what ever you bring before Him?
I want to be like Mary. So close to Jesus that she couldn’t wait to just check on Him. Because of Her need to be there, Mary was the first that Jesus revealed Himself to. I know Christ has things to reveal to each of us. We just need to make ourselves available and ready to hear His call.
Happy Easter! He is Risen!!