Lessons from Easter – Part 3
He wants to be found if you seek Him
This is the third part of the series in our Lessons from Easter Series. You can find Lesson 1 here and Lesson 2 here.
John 20:1-8 is a scripture that amazes all the time.
Mary Magdalene got to the tomb where Jesus was laid, saw the empty tomb and ran to call the other disciples.
They followed her and what happens next is interesting. They were all running towards the tomb and one of them outran the other one and got to the tomb first. He just looked at the strips of linen and didn’t go in there.
Peter came after and he ran straight inside, took a look at the strips of linen and everything else in there too. Eventually the other disciples joined him and they both looked in there and they believed all that Jesus had been teaching them before.
“(They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead) Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.” John 20:9-10 NIV
They believed but they went back anyway.
But look at what happens immediately after.
Mary, who orchestrated their going to the tomb in the first place stayed there weeping. She still wanted to know where they had taken Jesus. And then she sees angels asking her questions!
While she is still there, Jesus himself shows up to the scene. She didn’t even recognize him. She thought he was the gardener.
One simple word later, she knew it was her Lord. What did Jesus say to her that made her know it was Him?
He just called her name. “Mary”, was all he said.
“Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).” John 20:16 NIV
The one who is forgiven much loved much. Mary stayed even when the others had left and she saw Jesus.
A few weeks ago, I listened to a sermon that taught us about waiting on God until we see Him answer that prayer we have been praying for such a long time.
Sometimes you need to stay a little longer than others to ‘see’ Jesus.
Mary was so familiar with the voice of Jesus and his way of calling her name that she knew it was him as soon as he called her name.
How familiar are you with the voice of Jesus? Can you hear him call you above all the noise around you?
Can you single out His voice above the cacophony?
With everyone giving you advice about how you should be living your life, can you tell the difference between what sounds good and what is God?
As we celebrate Jesus and the wonderful work He has done for us this season, it is a good time to reflect on these lessons even beyond this period.
How intimate do you want to be with Jesus? Will you go beyond what others are doing to find His presence? Can you wait to hear Him speak to you?
How joyful do you think you would be if you could be like Mary and run around excited!
“Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.” John 20:18 NIV
She, Mary Magdalene, became the one to spread the good news of seeing Jesus because she stayed and sought Him out.
What lessons are you learning this season? I’d love to hear all about them.
Have a Happy Easter.
