04/05/2026
Read John 20:1-18
I would love to have been there with Mary Magdalene when she realizes Jesus is alive!! Picture this with me....
Mary Magdalene discovered the stone was rolled away from the tomb and Jesus' body was not there. She is shocked and panic stricken. You know the feeling like when you can't find your keys, purse or cell phone. Worse yet, you're hanging clothes on the line and your 5 year old daughter was there one minute and the next minute gone and you don't know where she went. I have lived all of these and hate that panic feeling. Panic I did! To find out that she went to the neighbors to play with her friend.
Mary Magdalene felt this kind of panic. She ran and told the disciples. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put Him!” I'm sure she was crying and maybe even shouting!
The disciples and Mary ran back to the tomb. The disciples looked in and saw that Jesus’ body was gone and only the linens were lying there. Discouraged the disciples left to go home. They still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead.
But Mary stays. After all Jesus was her Savior! He's the one that released her from 7 demons! Her whole world was changed because of Him. She is crying and sobbing. She sees a man standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him. “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?”
She thought he was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken Him away, tell me where you have put Him, and I will go and get Him.” I'm sure this was said between sobs!
“Mary!” Jesus said. She recognized His voice! She is so excited to see Him. She runs to embrace Him. “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
Mary Magdalene found the disciples again and told them, “I have seen the Lord!” Then she gave them His message. I'm sure this time she is celebrating, elated and even laughing with relief.
Today, we celebrate that same risen Savior! Like Mary Magdalene, let's tell others about our Jesus! Let me begin by saying, “Jesus is alive and He has changed my life! Hallelujah! Praise God!”
Have a great day knowing God loves you, He is good and in control 🙂