Resurrection Sunday…
He is risen!
On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put Him! ”
At that, Peter and the other disciple went out, heading for the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and got to the tomb first. Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, yet he did not go in.
Then, following him, Simon Peter came also. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. The wrapping that had been on His head was not lying with the linen cloths but was folded up in a separate place by itself.
The other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, then entered the tomb, saw, and believed. For they still did not understand the Scripture that He must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went home again.
But Mary stood outside facing the tomb, crying. As she was crying, she stooped to look into the tomb. She saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet, where Jesus’ body had been lying.
They said to her, “Woman, why are you crying? ”
“Because they’ve taken away my Lord,” she told them, “and I don’t know where they’ve put Him.”
Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, though she did not know it was Jesus.
“Woman,” Jesus said to her, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for? ”
Supposing He was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you’ve removed Him, tell me where you’ve put Him, and I will take Him away.”
Jesus said, “Mary.”
Turning around, she said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” — which means “Teacher.”
“Don’t cling to Me,” Jesus told her, “for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to My brothers and tell them that I am ascending to My Father and your Father — to My God and your God.”
Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord! ” And she told them what He had said to her.
John 20:1-18 HCSB
https://bible.com/bible/72/jhn.20.1-18.HCSB
He is risen indeed!
Early on that Sunday morning, Jesus finished His fight with death and arose. Some gospels report that a group of women went to finish the burial dressings for Jesus’ body; because they did not have time after the crucifixion. When they got there they found that the tomb was open and empty!
Led by Mary Magdalene, they race to inform the disciples of what they had found. The disciples rush to the tomb to see for themselves and find no body. Leaving in disbelief, everyone departs except Mary. She stays behind and is soon face to face with two angels.
These angels tell her that He is risen! She turns and comes face to face with who she thinks is the gardener. She questions Him, but realizes who He is after He calls her name. Jesus is standing before her.
He tells her that He has not ascended and will go to His Father, and her Father, to His God and her God. He tells her to go and tell the disciples!
Imagine being Mary! Before He even goes to Heaven, He seeks her in the garden of the tomb. Before He appears to anyone else, He appears to her. She is the first to see the risen Savior! She is the first evangelist! It is to her that He first says to go and tell others about His resurrection!
We are His Marys! We have that same duty. We must go and tell of His resurrection and of His Salvation!
The Cross is empty! The Crown of Thorns is laid to the side! The linens are thrown in the corner! The Tomb is empty! But the clothe (napkin) that covered his face is folded and on the stone table that held is body.
This morning, I read about a tradition that Hebrew masters would fold their napkin and place it on the table if they were coming back. I do not know if it is true, but I like it because it reminds us that He is coming back!
That is the news we share! He has ascended, but He is coming back!
God Bless and Happy Easter!
