John 20:11-18 “Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. 13 They 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.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. 15 He asked her, “Woman, 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.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). 17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.”
With a broken heart and weeping inconsolably Mary Magdalene went to the tomb where she had seen Jesus laid. Today many have known the feeling of going to a gravesite and crying with a broken heart for a loved one who has died. Mary was mourning because yes, she loved Jesus but He was much more than a person she loved, He was the Savior of her eternal soul, and now she didn’t understand how He could be dead. How deeply she was broken! She felt irreparably broken.
Some of us have felt, and some of us do, also know such grief. Some of us have felt circumstances changed, or are about to change, and that our world may never be the same again. And, we may be right in that the world may change seemingly become beyond repair, but the Lord knows how to deliver through the flood, through the sea, and though the fire. “But God!” How glorious that phrase for those who know it, have trusted it, and have found it to be true!
For all who are suffering, grieving and worrying, we need not hurt and fear, as we are prone to do. Of course some events in our lives will leave scars that remain tender for a lifetime. The outer flesh closes, but the wound beneath remains tender. The scars will remain but they are only a reminder, are not only a remembrance, but also a sign of healing. In the loss of loved ones, we will, on this earth, hurt at the separation. But for those who love and serve the Lord our pain of separation may be eased. The ache to be reunited remains, but in the promises of our God the pain eases. We focus ever more intently on the One who is most dear to us. We focus on our God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. He is our hope, He is our joy and peace. He alone is the supreme Darling of our souls.
Jesus came to comfort the broken hearted (Psalm 34:18) and to give hope (Romans 15:13) to all mankind who will look to Him and not the world as their greatest treasure (Matthew 13:52, 19:21). For all who love Jesus we know this hope. How hopeless did Mary feel as she saw Jesus suffer and die? But her sorrow turned to joy when she saw the risen Jesus. Then she was filled again with the overwhelming peace and joy that she knew before her seeming separation from Him. After seeing Him her joy was not only returned, but she ran to bless others so that their joy may also return. Beloved Sisters and Brothers, whether it be the death of a loved one, or the fear of a tumultuous world, Jesus is always the answer to being restored to the peace and joy that only He gives. (John 14:27) We must turn our eyes from the gravestone, and from our thoughts of the seeming tidal wave that threatens to overwhelm, and look to our God for whom nothing is impossible. (Luke 1:37) As always, the answer is simple, look to Jesus. He is always the Answer. Thank you Jesus! Praise God
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will Hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”