We continue our study of the Gospel of John. We pick up at Chapter 20, verse 1. The Word says:
“Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter, and the other Disciple, the one who Jesus loved, and said, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put Him.’ John 20: 1-2.
The next several verses, John 20: 3 thru 10, tell of Peter and John running to the tomb, and seeing that Jesus was no longer there returned to where they were staying. They were confused. They did not remember that Jesus had told them them He would die, and in three days rise again. The stone had been moved away by angels to let the world see.
Picking up at verse 11, the Scripture says, ‘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, the other at the foot. They asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying?’ She replied, ‘They have taken my Lord away, 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 Gardner, 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). Jesus said, ‘Do not hold on to Me, for I have not yet ascended to my Father, and your Father, to My God, and your God. Mary went to the Disciples with the news. ‘I have seen the Lord!’ And she told them He had said these things to her,” John 20:11-18
Many discussions have been held as to why Mary Magdalene was chosen to be the first to see Jesus, after His Resurrection. Scripture says Jesus cast seven demons out of her (Mark 16:9), and after that life changing experience, she wanted to be around Him, and to serve Him. She supported His work, and His ministry in every way she could. The Apostle does not tell of the other women who were with her that morning. He only speaks of her, and of her great love for Jesus, and the things He told her. She was His first human contact, and it was beautiful. The fact that she did not know Him at first tells us He had been transformed into the lovely Being that He is now. She was His first Messenger. After they had talked, and she had fallen at His feet and had taken His legs into her arms, He told her, “Do not hold onto Me, for I have not ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers, and tell them, ‘I am ascending to My Father, and your Father, to My God and your God.” Mary Magdalene went to the Disciples with the news. “I have seen the Lord! And she told them the things He said to her.” John 20:17-18.
This we are to do. After we have seen the Lord by the change in our hearts, and lives. we are to tell the Good News. He Lives. We live large in this life because of Him, John 10:10, and will be with Him forever when our purpose is done here. Let the Word go forth. Jesus lives. He loves. He is on the throne at the right hand of His Father, our Father. His Spirit is here with us.