MORNING MEDITATION
Glean the Word: John 20:10-18
Glimpse of Glory: "Woman,' He said, 'Why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?' " (John 20:15a)
On the day of His resurrection Jesus had scheduled several divine appointments which would provide His followers with ample evidence that He had indeed risen from the dead. These meetings were not arbitrary encounters. Instead, they were divinely planned and purposed to encourage His disciples, and to provide future believers with the concrete evidence needed to make the foundation of faith solid as a Rock!
The first of Jesus' encounters was recorded in all four of the gospels. The NIV study notes suggest that Jesus' meeting with Mary Magdalene was scheduled first because she probably needed Him the most. Mary Magdalene was a woman who had once been possessed by seven demons; that is, until Jesus took possession of her heart (see Luke 8:2). After her deliverance, she became a faithful follower of His; along with the other women who supported Jesus, and His disciples, as they traveled from town to town "proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God" (Luke 8:1-3).
In the accounts of the crucifixion and resurrection story it is recorded that Mary Magdalene was at the cross and watched as her Lord was crucified; she waited and watched to the very end when they took His body down; and she stayed as they quickly prepared His body for burial (see Matthew 27:55-56; Mark 15:40; Luke 23:49; John 19:25). She didn't leave the Lord's side until she saw with her own eyes that the stone was rolled in front of the tomb (see Matthew 27:61; mark 15:46-47; Luke 23:55); and then she only left to prepare the spices so that she could return in the morning to care for the body of her Lord. She was the first one at the tomb that resurrection morning, and she saw the stone had been rolled away (see Mathew 28:1; mark 16:1-3; Luke 24:1; John 20:1). In all four gospels she is recorded as the one "eye witness" to the crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord, and she was the first one scheduled in His divine appointment book that glorious day (see Mark 16:9-11; John 20:11-18).
Mary Magdalene never left the side of Jesus from the moment she was delivered. She was a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ. On that resurrection day she was rewarded for her devotion. Jesus was everything to her, and all she wanted was to be near the body of her Lord. When Jesus asked her, "Who is it you are looking for?", all that she had been searching for was answered. Jesus had had never left her, He had never forsaken her. Nothing could separate her from the love of Christ. Mary had found the one her heart loved, and her weeping was turned to joy. "Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning" (Psalm 30:5b).
May this divine encounter with the living Lord serve as an encouragement to all who are seeking and searching for their hearts' desire. May the Lord's question to Mary prick our hearts as we lay them before the Lord in prayer this morning, asking Him to search deep within and find in us the heart of fully devoted follower who wants nothing more than to be by the side of our Lord. May we humbly ask the Lord to reveal anything in our lives that is not fully surrendered to His will, and then ask for forgiveness and yield our hearts to His, that He might fill us with more of Himself.
"...you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart."
I will be found by you."
(Jeremiah 29:12-14a)
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