Two thousand years ago on the first Easter Sunday, Mary Magdalene returned to the garden tomb in which our Lord was laid and found it empty. Struck with concern for her Master’s body, she rushed away and returned with Peter and John, who confirmed that his body was indeed gone. While they returned to their homes, Mary lingered in the garden, weeping—for she did not understand what this all truly meant (Jn. 20).
Mary loved Jesus. When most others had fled, she stood at the cross alongside his mother and John, suffering with Him. And here again, she refuses to leave Him—or at least where she thought He should be. As she cried, a man approached, whom she presumed was the gardener. He asked why she was weeping, and she responded with interrogation, asking where he moved Jesus to. And it was at this moment, when Jesus the Gardener simply replied, “Mary,” that her eyes were opened.
Here was her resurrected Lord and friend, no longer dead but alive, calling her by name. She replied with joy, exclaiming, “Rabonai, Teacher!” While she did not understand what was happening, her patient love and devotion to Christ, though mixed with grief, allowed her to see and believe. With that one word—her name spoken by Christ—her whole world was turned upside down. The tears she had sown in that garden quickly reaped a harvest, and Mary received her reward.
In this, Mary is a picture of Christ’s bride, the Church. And Mary is an image of you this morning—if you hear His voice. Christ knows your sin and weakness. He knows your fears and grief. He knows that you are often slow to understand all that He is doing. And as the Good Shepherd He comes near in comfort, calls you by name, in order that you would recognize His voice (Jn. 10).
So this Easter Sunday, remember that His resurrection is not merely a historical fact. It is personal. If you have died with Him, if your sins have gone into the grave—you too now share in His resurrection. So hear and believe this Good News, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and in your believing may you have eternal life (Jn. 20:31).
Shawn Paterson – March 31, 2024
