Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples, that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her. John 20: 18, NKJV
Dear Lord, please help us to catch a glimpse of You, as we enter the study of Your Word, for Christ’s sake. Amen
Yesterday, we looked at Mary Magdalene and the other Marys, as they made their way to the tomb of Jesus to face the “very large stone,” that covered the door of the tomb. Today, the gospel according to John, focuses this incident from a different angle. It looks at Mary alone; the other women are not mentioned. When she arrives at the tomb, and discovers that it is empty, she turns around and runs to “Simon Peter, and the other disciple, whom Jesus loved” (John 20: 1, 2), and told them what she had seen. They, in turn, ran to the tomb, to see what she was talking about (3-7). After all, a dead body just does not get up and walk out of the grave! But one that is alive will! Hallelujah!
Convinced that the tomb is empty, Peter and the other disciple turn around, and return to their homes. Mary remains at the tomb, weeping. She stoops to take another look inside, and sees two angels sitting in the place where “the body of Jesus had lain” (John 20: 11, 12). They inquire why she is weeping and she explains that it is because they have taken away her Lord, and she does not know where He is. She turns and sees Jesus, who also asks her why she is weeping. “Supposing” it was the gardener, she inquires if he knows where they have taken her Lord. She will go and get Him! Mary’s tenacity never ceases to amaze me. When it comes to Jesus, there is nothing that she cannot, or will not, do for Him! That is why she is deeply saddened by His absence. Even His dead body would have brought her consolation.
Let us try to gleam some lessons from this episode. Angels looked like regular men, and the Savior looked like “the gardener” because of her tears. Many times tears distort our vision, and we see what is not there; while failing to see what is there.
Mary was crying over the fact that Jesus’ tomb was empty. How often we weep over the very things that should cause our rejoicing. “He is not here,” not because they have stolen His body, but because “[He] is risen” (Luke 24: 6) and is alive forevermore! Glory! Hallelujah! That was good news back then, and that is good news today! Yet she wept.
But Mary has spent much time in the presence of Jesus. She sat at His feet every opportunity she had. She knows His voice; “the sheep hear [H]is voice; and [H]e calls [H]is own sheep by name and leads them out” (John 10: 3). Emphasis provided. “Mary!” No one calls her that way except for one person; but it cannot be! He is dead! After she draws closer, she can see Him better; it is Jesus! She sees Him through her tears, with difficulty, but she sees Him!
How often our vision is blurred because of tears. The very One, who, alone, can bring us joy, is hidden from view because of disappointments, unfulfilled expectations, and broken promises. Because of tears, oftentimes we fail to see, standing very close to us, the One who has written every tear in His Book, and has a bottle with which to catch them (Psalm 56: 8). What is more, He has promised to “wipe away all tears from [our] eyes” (Revelation 21: 4), because tears were never a part of His plan for us (Genesis 3: 22).
May God keep our tears from blinding us to His presence.