Easter

My favorite Easter scripture is the story of Mary Magdalene coming to the tomb of Jesus on Easter morning. It is still dark as she approaches the tomb. She is overcome with sadness at the loss of her teacher and master. I imagine she is crying when she discovers the tomb is empty. She thinks the only thing she can think, ”Someone has stolen the body of my Lord!” She peers inside where she sees two angels who tell her she should not be looking for the living among the dead. She still does not get it. Then she sees Jesus but does not recognize him and thinks he is a gardener.

“ But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she 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 in Hebrew, "Rabbouni!" (which means Teacher).” (John 20:11-20)

He speaks her name and she knows it is Jesus. I love that moment of recognition. Hopelessness becomes amazement and joy. Can’t you imagine Mary’s emotion? Wow! I cry every time I read this passage.

Have you ever been there? Have been in that place of total despair and suddenly found there was joy right in front of you. That’s a God moment. That is the story of Easter.

Christ has risen.
He has risen, indeed!