As a woman and a child of God, I sometimes try to put myself in Mary Magdalene’s shoes when she got to Jesus’s tomb, expecting to see His body, and found it empty. It must have been heartbreaking to think that perhaps someone had stolen the Lord’s body. Imagine spending three years of your life following, in close fellowship with, and learning from God’s own son. I said, GOD’S SON! I get goosebumps just thinking about it.
My favorite passage about the resurrection is found in John 20.
John 20:11-18 (NKJV) “But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. 12. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.” What a splendorous sight to see God’s angels in person like that!
“13. Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” I can almost hear her sorrow in her words.
“14. Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 15. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”
“16. Jesus said to her, “Mary!” (Wow! Mary was first to see Jesus after He rose! What an honor!) She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). 17. Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’” Jesus’ command was, “Do not continue holding or clinging to me” (in order to restrain Him). Inappropriate because of His new relationship as resurrected Lord. BUT, I must say I would want to hold onto my Lord, whom I thought was lost to me, and never let Him go.
“18. Mary Magdalene came and told the desciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.”
As I celebrate Jesus’ death and resurrection every Easter, it is terribly grievous to me to recall the horrific beating and humiliataion that he took because of me and a world full of sinners. (It is so grievous to me that when The Passion came out, I was one of the first to buy the DVD, but I have not yet been able to watch it. Our family will try to do that this year.)
I do not believe it is God’s desire for us to weep over the sacrifice that His only son made for us. Just as Mary must have done when she learned that Jesus was alive, we are to hold Him in high reverence and be ever grateful, relieved, and joyous. Let us ever praise Him and thank Him for having the final victory over death.
“I thank you with all my being Dear Heavenly Father God Jehovah, Jesus Christ my saviour, and sweet Holy Spirit. May I never take what you have done for me for granted.”
