MARY’S JOY!

 

Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023

 

MARY’S JOY!

 

John 20:11-16

11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,

12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.

14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

 

          Weeping! She had arrived at the tomb and could only stand and weep for awhile. Her Master had cast from her seven devils (see Luke 8:2) so she had experienced His love and His power but was not equipped to deal with this grief.

 

          Stooping down! Finally calming herself enough to peer inside, Mary was still so overcome with grief that she never recognized the angels for what they were. She engages them in conversation as naturally as she would engage any normal being. She had plenty of clues but seems to have ignored their white clothing and angelic demeanor.

 

          The gardener speaks! In tenderness He asks why she is weeping so uncontrollably, and she makes a promise that would have required great strength to keep. She would take away the body if only they would tell her where it was laid. “Mary” is all that Jesus said to her. She was now fully awake and fully focused. Suddenly she knew what had happened and to whom she was talking.

 

          Go and tell! This is always the right response to finding the tomb empty and Jesus alive. Go and tell the disciples! Relieve their grief and tell them to meet me for their new assignments. Go and tell your neighbor that this day is different from any other day. Go and tell the world that sin is slain and life reigns supreme.

 

Dear Lord, today our sorrow is turned to joy. Thank you for your gift of eternal life which you purchased with your own blood. AMEN