~ John 20:10-16
Then the disciples went back to where they were staying. Now Mary stood outside the tomb
crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in
white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the
foot. They asked her, “Woman,
why are you crying?” She said, “They have
taken my Lord away, and I don’t
know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but
she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman, 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 put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!”
(which means “Teacher”).
Mary is right in
the heart of the most joyful story in human history -- and she is overwhelmed
with grief and hopelessness!
Jesus’ death on the cross is more than she could
bear. Now not only his body is missing, she has no clue who took it! She wept
and wept at the empty tomb…
Does she find what
she is looking for? Well, what is she looking for?
The dead body of
Jesus, of course. What else would you look for in a tomb?
Mary even has a
plan: “tell me where you put him, and I will get him.” This plan will be a bit unnecessary.
How can you “get him” if you can’t see him?
Mary is so busy
looking for the dead Jesus that she couldn’t see the living Jesus.
After being greeted
by two angels and Jesus himself, she’s still searching…. for the body.
… until Jesus
calls, “Mary.” She finally sees the living Jesus. There is no need to search
any more.
She has found
Jesus. Actually, Jesus has found her.
“Who is it you are
looking for?”
