Mary Magdalene, the very first witness to Jesus’ resurrection. Her grief compelled her to “go”, for grief often has its own reasons. Her life had once been a broken mess until she experienced the healing which Jesus brings. Now she just wanted to be near her Savior.
She had a deep seated need to be where Jesus was, with Him however that might mean, even if it meant sitting outside a sealed tomb.
Her need to be near Him was the reason she experienced more. Her need to be near Him caused her to see the risen Lord. She heard Him speak her name bringing hope to what seemed hopeless, and life to what appeared to be dead.
One simple verse brought these thoughts:
- Mary Magdalene got up early, even on the first day of the week. Every day of the week we need to make time. “In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch.” (Psalm 5:3, NASB)
- The stone had been removed. The resurrection avails to us the same power to remove stones that are a hindrance in our lives. I am so thankful that Jesus is still removing stones today. Nothing can ever hinder the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” (Romans 8:11, NASB)
- God is at work, even in the darkness. Mary went to the tomb while it was yet dark. The stone was already removed. Even though it may still look dark or our circumstances are yet clouded, God.Is.At.Work. He is always at work. Jesus, when harassed by the Jewish leaders for breaking the Sabbath rules, tells them: “But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.” (John 5:17, NASB)
- Mary Magdalene went to the tomb. She went in search of Jesus. Jesus wants us to come to Him with everything that is on our hearts and minds. “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”
(Matthew 11:28 NASB)
When we come to Him in the midst of our struggles, we will find He has been at work.
The stones will roll away,
and give way to new life.
Photo by Sage Friedman on Unsplash
This resonates with me deeply today - especially this: "Even though it may still look dark or our circumstances are yet clouded, God.Is.At.Work." Praising God that He doesn't leave us at the tomb!
ReplyDeleteI wonder how many of our unhealthy behaviors have their roots in a need for this kind of intimacy with our Creator and Friend.
ReplyDeleteIt's so good to remember that God is moving, even in the darkness. Thanks for this encouragement!
ReplyDeleteMay we always have a deep-seated need to be where Jesus is. It is so comforting to know that He is moving for our good in the darkness even when we can't see it.
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