Mary at the Tomb

Today look at John 20:1-18 and focus on Mary.   Mary is the first one to see the risen Christ.  In these verses we see that Mary Magdalene had several misconceptions.  She thought Jesus was still in the tomb.  Then when she found the tomb empty, she thought Jesus’ body was stolen.  Then when she sees Jesus, she thinks He must be a gardener.  She was taking the logic of her mind and coming to wrong conclusions.  We need to remember that it is easy to come to wrong conclusions about what Jesus is doing - especially when we use our human logic.  God may be doing something too big for us to imagine – just as Jesus was doing something so big that Mary couldn’t imagine. 

In Mary we can also see a beautiful picture of our relationship to God.  Mary was confused.  Mary had some errors in her thinking.  Mary was unhappy.  However, all of this dissipates when Jesus calls her name.  When Jesus calls her name, her eyes are opened and understanding is given her.  When Jesus calls her she responds.  When Jesus calls her she is overjoyed.  Think of how this parallels God calling us into a relationship with Him.  Think of how when Mary thought things were one way she weeps but when she sees the truth she rejoices.  Could you be “weeping” because you can’t see the truth?