John 20: 15 “Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?’”
Dear God,
I praise Your wonderful name, as well as give thanks and praises for Your love and mercy which is ever present and everlasting; though we are undeserving. Though we are absolutely sinful, we, each, are cared for and cherished for the sake of our salvation. Everyone at the same time! Only a divine being could undertake and accomplish such a thing!
Please cause me to remember in the light of such love and care, that always Your desire for me, is to be living in heaven with You, not within a frail, sin affected body, that often produces unhelpful thoughts and strange emotions; but in a sinless body, such as the bodies of Adam and Eve. It will still be me, but with sanctified characteristics, recognizable to those who knew me on earth. In the light of this prospect, it is a wonder that earth has such an attraction and pulls for each of us ‘earthlings’? I believe You are taking care of that through Your process of sanctification.
I give thanks for the prospect of sharing Your home as a sinless person, who also will be able to socialize freely, with my sinless Creator, God and King. These are thoughts that bring awe and deep joy to me, at least.
I never want to forget how much I am loved, as You instruct my mind and soul. Even throughout bodily sicknesses. By experience it seems to me, that often You allow sicknesses to take their course without miraculous healing, because of the many lessons in faith and dependence upon You we learn during the time. You know the end from the beginning, and I believe You not only keep my physical body and soul in life, but beyond when we are hid in the grave.
Mary did not recognize her risen Lord at first, thinking He was the gardener, when He said, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?’ This was second time in a short space of time; Mary had been asked the same question. The first time had, been by an angel, V 12 “and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.” It seems as if Mary wanted to cherish Jesus in death, because she had loved Him so much in life. The angels however knew that the most triumphant and joyous event had occurred, and the knowledge of this, would still the tears of Mary, when she had comprehended the staggering truth. V13 “Then they (2 angels) said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, ‘Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.’” Jesus did not leave Mary in her distress, and appeared personally to her, so as soon as possible she would know that there was no need for sorrowing tears or concerns about respectfully caring for his beloved body. For He was alive, having burst through death and the tomb. I am mindful and softened by these aspects of this story, which reveal great love, in a lesser extent by Mary for Her beloved Saviour and in a greater extent by Jesus for the whole world. Jesus in His divinity did not neglect to bring comfort to Mary.
Jesus arose from His death as a complete person, who was the Son of God, able to ascend to His Father, and back again to earth. His mission on earth had been completed, so He remained on earth for a short ‘wind up’ period with His disciples. In their remorseful and distressed state, due to the events leading up to, during and for the first few days after His death, they all needed the love, healing of mind and spirit that only the Saviour could bring. Hitherto the disciples had not understood the heavenly backing and purposes of the Messiah coming to earth, for they had been focused upon the popular conception around promoting the Jewish nation politically and had missed the full truth of the coming of their ‘Master’, though Son of God they believed Him to be.
Now Jesus would not only comfort and reassure them in their belief in Him, but instruct them for redirection, after He left this earth.
It has been promised that we who have loved Him in life will see Jesus again, 1 Corinthians 6: 14 “And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power.”
Thank You for Your transforming love and remembrance of each of us, in life and in death.
Amen