Sunday is Coming

In the gospels we read that Mary Magdalene went to the tomb of Jesus while it was still dark. What she found was troubling. The stone was rolled away, the tomb was empty, and she was worried not knowing where the body of her Master was. We go on to read that she runs to tell others and they run back to find the same scene just as she described it. They didn’t understand that He had risen and the disciples went back to their homes while Mary stayed behind weeping. I imagine everyone was overwhelmed in grief. They had just witnessed Jesus being crucified and now His body was missing. While we know how the story ends, we have to remember this was real life for them. They didn’t know how things would unfold. They were already grieving deeply, and now they were feeling lost (and I imagine) feeling very alone too. I don’t know about you but I empathize with Mary. Knowing brokenness too well, the confusion that comes during an already difficult season, and the loneliness that seems to settle in. Days and nights feel dark and we can’t help but wonder, why is this happening? Or how will any good come out of this? The Bible doesn’t tell us specifically what Mary was thinking but it says she was weeping and as she knelt down to take another look, she saw two angels sitting where his body previously laid. They go on to ask her the reason for her tears and she replies that she doesn’t know where the body of her Lord is. Next, Jesus appears standing there but she doesn’t know that’s it’s Him. He asks her the same question but also asks whom is she seeking. She pleads to know where the body is and suddenly a miracle happens: Jesus calls her by name and she realizes it’s Him! It sounds like she was thrilled because in the text He had to ask her not to cling to Him just yet (so this tells me she was rushing to embrace Him). She runs to tell the others the good news, that He had risen! Just moments earlier she was in complete despair living in the unknown but now having seen her risen Savior she was no longer alone, no longer afraid, no longer broken-hearted! I love that He asked her who she was seeking. While Jesus already knew the answer, He still asked a beautiful question that I believe He is asking us everyday. Who (or what) are we seeking? Rather our world is falling apart or everything is going according to course, we too need to be seeking after our Lord. When we seek after Him, we find Him calling us by name. He is in control even when things seem out of control. We can trust His word as He is faithful and true. The crucifixion was horrific but even in the darkest hour Gods faithfulness was coming to pass— behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world! We serve a living God who has already defeated everything including death itself! We were purchased with His blood and by His stripes we are healed! Like Mary, let’s wipe our tears and rejoice in our risen Savior! It might be a hard night, a hard season, but Sunday is coming… keep going sweet friend.

// prayer //

Thank You Lord for dying on that cross to save us. Thank You for doing for us what we could not do for ourselves. Thank You for the free gift of salvation. Remind us when we are heavy burdened to seek after You. Remind us of Your kingdom that cannot be shaken. Remind us that You alone are our victory and while we don’t know what our future holds, we know You hold it in Your mighty and capable hands. Increase our faith Lord, increase our trust in You. Remove the doubt, remove the fear. Thank for being our comfort and our strength, for being our very present help in the day of trouble. Thank You for sending Your Son to give us eternal life. Thank You that one day there will be no more tears and no more pain. We love You Lord and we need You more than the air we breathe. Be glorified in us and may Your will continuously be done. In Jesus name, Amen.

🙌🏽🙏🏽💜

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again to their own homes. But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. 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. Then they 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.” Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, 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!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.

-John 20:1-18 NKJV