“Early in the morning of the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. She ran to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they’ve put him.” Peter and the other disciple left to go to the tomb. They were running together, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and was the first to arrive at the tomb. Bending down to take a look, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he didn’t go in. Following him, Simon Peter entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. He also saw the face cloth that had been on Jesus’ head. It wasn’t with the other clothes but was folded up in its own place. Then the other disciple, the one who arrived at the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. They didn’t yet understand the scripture that Jesus must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to the place where they were staying. Mary stood outside near the tomb, crying. As she cried, she bent down to look into the tomb. She saw two angels dressed in white, seated where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head and one at the foot. The angels asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” She replied, “They have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they’ve put him.” As soon as she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she didn’t know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabbouni” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Don’t hold on to me, for I haven’t yet gone up to my Father. Go to my brothers and sisters and tell them, ‘I’m going up to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene left and announced to the disciples, “I’ve seen the Lord.” Then she told them what he said to her.” (John 20:1–18, CEB)
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She questioned one nearby, thinking he was the gardener. Recognition didn’t immediately come. During the interchange, he speaks her name… “Mary.”
Her tears were openly, emotionally, profoundly expressed.
Within his utterance, one sees how she discerned, received, confessed.
Hope, promise, reassurance, voiced within a brief conversation,
was a joyous, profound, and yet, unexpected affirmation.
Stone rolled away, tomb unsealed,
his resurrection,
revealed.
Responding with a new outlook, plan of action,
to a perception that gains momentum, traction,
can change the way we think, work, and act,
guiding, teaching, spurring with impact.
It dawned with Mary’s name being spoken, said.
The good news is…
Jesus risen from the dead.
Pastor Rich Wagner
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Easter Sunday -- March 31, 2024
Worship: 9:30 am
Scripture Readings
New Testament 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Gospel John 20:1-18