Day 31: Mary Magdalene (John 20: 1-18)
Mary’s heart was broken. How would she ever remove that horrible picture of her Savior’s crucifixion from her mind? Forever it would be her last memory of Him. The sorrow she felt seemed to be squeezing the very life out of her. How could it have come to this?
Not being able to sleep, she did what any true friend would do. Gathering a few of the other women who had traveled with Jesus while He was ministering, they left before dawn to anoint His body with the spices that they had previously prepared.
As they arrived at the tomb, Mary saw that it stood opened. Fearing that her Lord’s body had been stolen or moved, Mary left the others to go and report to Peter and John. The news brought to them a new despair, and the three ran quickly back to the tomb to see if they could determine what happened.
Arriving ahead of Mary, Peter and John each looked into the tomb. What were their eyes seeing, they wondered? Jesus was gone, and only His wrappings remained. Strangely, the linen cloths He had been wrapped in were neatly folded. Then, it struck them. Jesus had raised from the dead! Leaving Mary outside the tomb, they ran to tell the others.
Weeping and alone, Mary walked back to the entrance of the tomb and looked in. Looking back, Mary was startled by a Man she didn’t recognize. Confusion filled her mind as He spoke to her. Once again, she turned to look at the tomb and the large stone not far away. Would she ever be able to piece it all together?
“Mary!” the Man called out. Turning around, Mary finally recognized Him. “Teacher!” she exclaimed. Running to Him, she fell to the ground and kissed and hugged His nail-scarred feet. Her Savior lived! He had risen on the third day, just as He said!
What do you do when you feel hopeless? Where do you look when things don’t make sense? When your life has been turned upside down, to what do you cling? Is Jesus your first answer to these questions?
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