First Witness

Read John 20:11-18


John 20:11-18 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 cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.


A few days ago, we talked of the inexpressible anguish and pain our Lord suffered on the cross. That’s all gone now! There is no pain, no sorrow, no heartache, and no regrets! Our risen Lord has come, and he has made himself fully known!
    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 acted. The Lord has risen. The Lord is spoken, and there is nothing that the gates of Hell can do. Satan is conquered. Death is “softened” and life reigns.
    I’ll bet Mary is glad she stayed at the tomb! We know from Matthew and Luke that other women were with her. How exceedingly glad they would have been! They rejoiced in the risen Lord! They “went to the disciples with the news”. The women became the first evangelists and missionaries, the first emissaries to represent the risen Christ. The disciples and others probably laughed at Mary, told her go home. After all, that’s what they did. If Jesus was alive, he certainly would come to them first.
    Ah, Mary, your grief was enormous. Your joy is so much more! No matter what anyone said to you, you know he’s alive. You saw and touched the risen Lord! Now, for the remainder of your earthly life, you will walk in the power of the resurrected Jesus Christ!
    
Resurrection Truth: Jesus is alive. You must tell.