Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
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.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
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.”
Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).
John 20:11-16
During Jesus’ ministry He healed many people both spiritually and physically. Mary, (called Magdalene because of where she was from) who is in today’s verses, was one whom Jesus healed spiritually.
Luke 8:1b-2 The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out.
Before Jesus, Mary was a mess. She was filled with seven demons, ruled by Satan, she was filled with evil. All of that changed in an instant when Jesus spoke, commanding the demons to come out of her. She was clean, free, and so grateful! Jesus became her Savior and her Lord that wonderful day that she was miraculously released from the hold of Satan. Mary followed Jesus, walked with Him, and was taught by Him. Her life became peaceful and meaningful because of Jesus.
Now we find Mary outside of Jesus’ tomb, weeping, filled with grief after watching her Lord and Savior, Jesus dying on the cross. Mary’s world has fallen apart. Once more she’s in a desperate place. Isn’t it beautiful? Mary is set free again, this time from her grief, when Jesus speaks her name, “Mary.” Instantly Mary recognizes Jesus, and He’s alive! He’s ALIVE! This truth comes flooding into Mary’s heart when Jesus calls to her personally by name. How does Mary respond to Jesus when He calls her? “She turned toward Him.” As Mary turns toward Jesus, immediately her hope is restored and joy replaces grief!
Just like Mary, as we live this life, we find ourselves living in peaceful and meaningful times. Suddenly, we’re in a desperate place, everything in our world has fallen apart. Only Jesus can restore our hope. Only Jesus can fill us with joy to replace the grief.
Our Holy God speaks to us, just like He spoke to Mary by the tomb. Our Savior calls us by name, just like He called to Mary during her suffering. Slow down and turn toward Jesus, as Mary did, and ask Him to speak His comfort, peace, hope, joy, and love into your heart. He will do it because He loves you.
Today’s Verses
Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
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.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
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.”
Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).
John 20:11-16
Scripture Inspired Prayer
Thank You for setting me free from sin and death, like you did Mary. Thank You for speaking to me in personal ways. Change my heart so that I learn to always turn toward You, Jesus when You speak to me. Forgive me for the times I’ve chosen to ignore You. You are alive and living in my heart, and I am so grateful that I never, ever have to be separated from You and Your powerful love! This knowledge brings me great joy, holy hope, and wonderful peace. Jesus come and flood my heart again and again with Your loving voice, speaking Your truth into, and over my life all day, every day! I truly love You with my whole heart!
