Hear Him

Mary Magdalene  Scripture:  John 20:1-18

The story of Mary Magdalene at the tomb has always amazed me. So engulfed in grief over her Lord's death, she blocks out the reality of life. It takes a word from Jesus to move her from the past (the crucifixion) into the present (the resurrection) so that she can go forward into the future.

She stands outside the tomb crying. Bending down she sees two angels in white sitting in the crypt where the body of Jesus had been. The angels ask why she weeps.   

“Jesus’ body is gone and I don’t know where they have taken him.”

Hear the despair in her words.

Gripped by sorrow she focuses inward, seemingly unfazed by the angel visitation.

She turns and sees Jesus - but she doesn’t know him. Why doesn’t she know this beloved one?  Could it be because his appearance defied her expectation?

When Jesus asks why she is weeping even his voice did not break through. 

Seeing with her eyes, she did not truly see.

Hearing, she did not truly hear. 

Assuming him to be the Gardner, she pleads,

“If you have taken him away tell me where you put him.”

Intent on finding him dead, she did not know him alive!

Cutting through her shell of despair and agony, Jesus speaks her name.

His voice breaks through.

Her eyes see Him!

Her ears hear Him!

Joy, joy, joy!

Comfort received.

Her heart is at peace.

The news is shared.

Perhaps sometimes we miss the miraculous because of our expectations.

We don’t expect to find him near, so we fail to hear him when he speaks.  

Focused on our disappointment, we fail to see the power of the living Lord at work on our behalf and in our world.  Wrapped in the garments of pain and uncertainty, we refuse the comfort that Jesus offers. We need a word from the Lord to move us from our past into the present so that we can walk victoriously into the future.

He’s given us his Word. Today I choose to hear him.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. 

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27.

Time

"Only one life, 'twill soon be past,  
Only what’s done for Christ will last."

                          

These few lines are from a poem written by C.T. Studd, missionary to China, India and Africa. I found them on a plaque in my mother's house after she passed away at almost 91 years of age.   

The recent sudden passing away of my sister-in-law at age 44 made me look at this quote again. 

The reality is, none of us know how long we have. 

Mom had almost 91 years, Deena almost 45. Life is uncertain but death is guaranteed. 

And since it is sure to come, one must give serious consideration as to how time is spent leading up to it and where we will be after it!   

Now that I have retired I am the keeper of my schedule. It is a wonderful freedom but somewhat of a two-edged sword. For now there is no one to tell me when to be where or what to accomplish with my days. No clock to punch. No time sheets to track. No permissions to ask. There is the possibility of frittering away the time with nothing useful or of value to show for it. But I am accountable to my Maker, who has ordained an exact number of days and hours for me! God help me to use them in ways that honor Him and further His kingdom!

C.T. Studd is also quoted as saying:

"Let us not glide through this world 
and then slip quietly into heaven, 
without having blown the trumpet loud 
and long for our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. 
Let us see to it that the devil 
will hold a thanksgiving service in hell, 
when he gets the news 
of our departure from the field of battle."

If you are anywhere in my vicinity I hope you can hear my trumpet blowing.