Mary's Reward

John 20:11-16 But Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. 13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don't know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. 15 “Woman,” he said, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned toward him and said in Hebrew, “Rabboni!”


THE inexpressible anguish and pain our Lord suffered on the cross is gone! There is no pain, no sorrow, no despair and no heartache. There is no death! The Resurrection and the Life has revealed himself to mankind! Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad! (Psalm 14:7) The Lord has spoken. The Lord has acted. The Lord is risen, and there is nothing that the gates of Hell can do. Satan is conquered. Death is done for all who believe. Life reigns.
   You can be sure Mary is glad she stayed at the tomb! We see in Matthew and Luke that other women were with her. How exceedingly glad would be this small first congregation of the Christian church. They were so glad, they went and told. The women became the first missionaries, the first evangelists and emissaries to represent the risen Christ. But sadly, the disciples reject their resurrection message. Mark 16:10 She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. 11 When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.
   Perhaps they couldn’t believe Jesus would go to the women before he went to them. Remember, unbelief divides. It keeps us grieving when our faith should cause us to rejoice and be glad!
   Ah, Mary, your grief was deep. Your joy is now even higher! No matter what anyone says to you from this day forward, you know now the Lord is alive. You know in your heart the joy of worshiping the resurrected Jesus Christ! Revelation 5:11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” 13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”
   Is any unbelief blocking your worship of the Living Christ? Are you hearing too much of the world’s opposition to Jesus? Then listen to the Scriptures. He’s calling your name. “Come, follow me. I am the resurrection and the life. I am the good shepherd. I am the way, truth and life.” Confess, “Rabboni! Master! Teacher! Savior! I believe!”
 
Prayer: Holy Spirit, remove from my heart any unbelief that keeps me from you. Stir my heart to hear your voice speak my name that I may declare, “Jesus is alive!” In Jesus’ name, amen.