A well worn Bible is a sign of a secure heart and a love that will last forever.
The days after Easter seem like the calm after the storm.
I often think of the story of Mary when she got up early while it was still dark and looked for Jesus.
It would have been quiet and her heart would be restless.
Wouldn’t that make sense?
If you loved someone and they passed away you would want so much to say one more thing to them, to look into their eyes, perhaps hug them.
So much left undone and if you could see them one more time it would help.
You can’t blame Mary for missing her very special friend.
Her sorrow and grief weighed heavy on her heart as she walked to the place where they laid him.
When she arrived there she found the stone rolled away.
On Sunday morning while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.
Startled and deeply saddened she lost hope that she would ever see him again
not even knowing where or who would have taken him.
Mary Magdalene stood crying outside the tomb.
She was still weeping, when she saw two angels inside.
They were dressed in white and were sitting where Jesus’ body had been.
One was at the head and the other was at the foot.
The angels asked Mary, “why are you crying?” She answered, “They have taken away my Lord’s body!
I don’t know where they have put him.”
As soon as Mary said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there.
But she did not know who he was.
Jesus asked her, “why are you crying? Who are you looking for?”
She thought he was the gardener and said, “Sir, if you have taken his body away, please tell me, so I can go and get him.”
Then Jesus said to her, “Mary!”
He said “Mary” in a way only she would recognize with his familiar voice and style using her name in a personal way.
Can you imagine?
You are waiting
You are looking
You are weeping
You are feeling hopeless
and you hear ‘YOUR NAME’.
If we want to get someones attention we use their name.
Anyone who has children knows this to be true.
Perhaps Jesus wanted to get ‘her attention’ and let her know
“I am here”… “I have never left you.”
Perhaps he wants to get our attention too.
What would our reaction be if he were to say to us ‘our name’
In a gentle quiet way.
Would we be listening and open?
{verses from John 20:11-16}
Isaiah 55:12
God’s People Will Celebrate
12When you are set free, you will celebrate and travel home in peace.
Mountains and hills will sing as you pass by,
and trees will clap.
Last night as I was going to bed I wondered about those who followed Jesus.
When it was all over.
When the sky darkened and the drama unfolded.
What did they do with their reactions as he was led away to be crucified.
When they saw Jesus on the cross disfigured and beaten.
When they saw the soldiers be rough yelling and mocking him causing him more pain.
When they stood there watching his blood dripping with deep agony upon their hearts.
I wonder
What did they feel like when they heard
the weeping and sorrowful screams echoing into the darkness?
Standing in that empty place of betrayal of heart
I wonder deep into their spirits what it felt like to say
I never knew him.
Denying him.
Denying his friendship and love for them.
Denying the dinners shared and memories made with him.
Denying the miracles witnessed and the stories told.
Denying the truth of who he was and the relationship he had with them.
Peter denied him three times
just like Jesus told him he would.
Judas hung himself (Matthew 27:5)
The others
where did the others go on this horrible night?
Isn’t it like the human nature to protect ourselves at any cost?
If they knew him perhaps they would be put on a cross too.
If they say they didn’t know him they would be safe.
The question that remains for me
was that really a safe way out or just a cowardice intention.
As I went to bed last night my heart was heavy and restless
as I asked myself
would I do any different?
If it was a life or death dilemma where my own life was at risk
if I were to say yes to the question
would I do any different?
It is a question that remains in my restless spirit today.
Perhaps for you too.
When it comes down to the eternal question:
Would we really remain faithful and say we know him?
Peter was sure he would never deny him.
He was positive and angry at Jesus to even suggest it.
Perhaps our Lord knows our hearts intentions much more than we do.
When it was all over the followers had many matters of the heart to deal with and
perhaps we do too.
On this Easter weekend shall we ask ourselves the difficult and hard questions?
I wonder.
Simplicity
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Joining Deidra on jumping tandem on Sundays.
(Photo by Larry O)