The Empty Tomb
“Surely he has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains”
(Isaiah 53:4).
Early on Easter Sunday morning Mary is standing in front of the empty tomb. She sees the linen burial clothes, like an empty cocoon, lying apart from the kerchief that was wound around Jesus’ head. But the body of Jesus is not there.
Puzzled, the other women and disciples have returned home, but Mary lingers at the entrance, weeping. Meanwhile Jesus is standing right behind her in the garden. He asks her, “Woman why are you crying? Whom is it you are looking for?”
Thinking he is the gardener, she says, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will get him.”
Why doesn’t Mary recognize Jesus even after He speaks with her?
After all, Mary has followed Jesus from place to place for three years. She belongs to a group of women who took care of Jesus and the disciples’ needs: washing their clothes, buying the groceries, fixing the meals. She’s heard him preach on the hillsides. She’s seen the miracles he has performed. In fact, she herself is a walking miracle: Jesus healed her of seven demons and gave back her life. Furthermore, Mary was among the women who stood beneath the cross of Jesus. She watched him die. Then she saw Joseph wrap his body in burial clothes and carry him to his family tomb. Yes, she knows Jesus intimately.
And still Mary does not recognize Him. Why?
Let me suggest one reason. Mary’s grief has blinded her. Isn’t that what we are like too? In the midst of very difficult circumstances what do we focus on? Our grief. Our pain. The injustice of it all. The impossibility of the situation.
Meanwhile Jesus is standing in the garden of our grief and we don’t recognize HimAre you going through a difficult time? Have you just buried a loved one or a cherished dream? Look away from your tomb to Jesus. He’s standing right beside you. He feels what you are feeling. He knows where you have been. Turn to Him now and let Him do a new thing for you today.
Dear Father, I thank you that death and hell could not keep Jesus in the grave. And because the risen Christ lives within me, I too shall triumph over this present hardship. Amen.
Related Links:
When Alzheimer’s Hits Home:
http://www.retirementwithapurpose.com/lutjensalzheimers.html
About the Author
This article was written by Helen Lescheid. You can read more about this author by clicking this link:
http://www.talk.thelife.com/helen-lescheid/
This devotional is protected by copyright laws and may not be reprinted or posted to a site without permission from TruthMedia Internet Group. All readers are welcome to forward the devotional to a friend or link to it. If you would like to seek permission to reprint the devotional in full, please contact us:
http://www.truthmedia.com/contact/index.html
Leave a Reply
Start a Conversation
Media
Connecting Through Technology
Do you use technology to stay in touch with family and friends?
>Watch