Easter - The Resurrection of Jesus
It was at the garden tomb Sunday, April 5, AD 33 at 6:00 am when a group of women walked quietly, I would imagine, slowly through the olive grove. They are carrying vials of spices because they plan to anoint the dead body of Jesus of Nazareth.
Their eyes are red from weeping. It seems as if they haven't stopped crying since that terrible moment three days ago when the soldiers ordered the body of Jesus taken down from the cross. Time did not allow them to completely prepare his body for burial. They have come this morning to finish the job. They are coming early so that they won't be seen by authorities.
With only a few more yards to go, their minds are on how they have to convince the Roman guards to unseal the tomb and let them enter. However, when they come to the tomb a shocking sight greets them. The soldiers are unconscious on the ground, the seal is broken, the stone has been rolled away, and the tomb is open.
When the women look inside, their shock turns to alarm. The tomb is empty. Someone has taken the body of Jesus.
What happened? Where is his body? Why is the tomb empty? What does it mean?
The women frantically look all about. Mary, with tears streaming down her face, sees a man, who she believes is the gardener and she ask him, struggling to speak through her tears, if he knows where they've taken the body of her Lord?
However, this was no gardener, praise God, it's the Master.
Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” — John 20:15–16
I have always loved this story in John’s account. Mary Magdalene had traveled with her Teacher for many years now; always serving, obedient, and willing to do whatever Jesus asked of her.
Yet here we find her weeping on a hot morning in Jerusalem. Her hopes dashed to pieces after seemingly unfulfilled promises have led her to wonder if the last few years of her life had been a waste. I wonder if like Peter elsewhere in the Gospel accounts, she was tempted to go back to her old life. At least there she could be numb and the tears wouldn't matter so much. Hope seemed to be lost. For once in her life, she had found a man she could believe in and who made her feel safe; but now He was dead and gone. Hope had left a chasm in her soul in which doubt and fear were quickly filling. With what strength she has left, she can only begin to weep.
I’ve often wondered why Mary mistook Jesus for the gardener. Was He just hanging back, digging in the dirt, watching for the right moment while she cried? Perhaps. It could be that according to scripture, the last time she saw Jesus alive, he had been beaten beyond human resemblance. His beard had been pulled out, according to the Word of God.
However, the ever careful Jesus goes right after her heart. “Why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Jesus knows the answer, so why ask?
I believe He was allowing Mary to admit her desperation and need.
Mary had such a strong desire to hold on to some semblance of what had brought her hope that she was willing to hold onto Jesus’ dead body; it was all she had left.
Then comes the moment that changed Mary’s life forever. One word that resounded a familiar bell in her heart…her name.
“Mary”
It was as if Jesus was saying, “Child, you’re safe. There is no need to worry. The wait is over.”
Can you imagine hearing Jesus say your name?
I too have had my share of disappointments in life. Moments that have left me hopeless, weary, angry, and wanting to be mad at God. I have no doubt Mary felt all of those things in the days following Jesus’ death.
Thankfully, I have the Spirit as a comforter as my long journey is nearing the end. Before long I will be in a place where all the death and darkness of this fallen world will be washed away and give birth to new life.
On that day I will enter a new garden in eternity. I believe as I greet everyone, my heart, soul and mind will be on Jesus who is at the right hand of the Father. I can almost imagine the sound of tens of thousands of angels singing praises to the Lamb of God.
When I fall down before the King of Kings, He will say my name.
“Child, you’re safe. There is no need to worry. The wait is over.”
