Thursday, April 21, 2011

He Is Not There!

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. John 20:1
At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. 
John 20:13-14



Oh the beauty of the stone rolled away from the tomb.  When Mary first came upon this sight she was afraid that someone had stolen her beloved Jesus' body.  What she didn't know was that He was not in grave clothes any longer.  He had already risen from His temporary slumber and was waiting for just the right moment to appear to her. 

I am humbled to know that our Lord chose to appear to a woman first.  This is significant to me because in the time in which they were living, women were deemed as unimportant, almost an afterthought.  To me, this is an example of my Jesus showing me that I am not insignificant.  Of all the people He could've appeared to first, He didn't choose the most influential disciple.  Instead, He chose one that was quietly going about her business, taking care of her Lord's body.  This continued the example He set in His earthly ministry of attending to the poor and broken-hearted. 

I can never fathom what was done on the cross for me the day Jesus died for my sin.  I can not imagine the horror Mary must have felt as she stood in the crowd and watched her Savior be beaten, degraded, and ultimately killed by men.  As bad as that must have been for her, can you imagine the overwhelming joy, ecstatic joy, that she felt when she saw Him on the other side of the cross?  The disbelief?  The eventual realization that she was seeing her Savior as He was truly meant to be seen?

I know the joy I experience because of what He did for me.  I have not seen Jesus face to face, nor placed my hands on His nail-scarred body, but I have faith that one day I will.  And what a glorious day that will be!  Then, I can say that I've felt what Mary did that day over 2000 years ago and I will be complete.



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7 comments:

Unknown said...

Your title got me excited. HE IS NOT THERE!!! No need to go searching for His tomb, He is not there! And because He's not there, I know that one day people will say of me, "she is not here". I will be Heaven, spending eternity with my Savior. Amen!

Jenifer Metzger said...

Beautiful post Allison!!

Eileen said...

I'm with Lisa. Your title made me smile big. What hope we have today because of THAT fact! Nice post!

Kelli said...

I also like that Mary, who was and ordinary person like us, was able to witness the good news first! To see that Jesus was alive!!:) Wonderful post!!

Phather Phil Malmstrom said...

Allison, I think this may be my favorite of all your posts. :-) What a beautiful devotion!

Have a Blessed Day!

Ken said...

Allison, your words spoke volumes. What a wonderful day it will be when we see our savior face to face.

Blessings,
Ken

Craig said...

Amen Allison - I'm here from Bonnie's - and amen - all the men but John had fled the Crucifixion, and then called Mary crazy for saying she'd seen Jesus. They were all so clueless until Pentecost. But the women. The women were the faithful ones. I'm a guy and I risk my man card by saying this - but I think there is something to be learned there. Just sayin' :)

God bless - and thank you for this.