“Be Patient And The Risen Lord Will Appear To You!”
John says Mary Magdalene was the first person to see the empty tomb and she was the first person to see and talk with the risen Lord.
In our generation a commfittee would have been constituted to select those to whom the risen Christ should first appear to. Mary Magdalene could certainly not be considered to be amongst those to whom the Lord should first appear to. Why? She was the woman “from whom seven demons had come out”(Lk.8:2).
God has a way of lifting up the humble(Lk.1:52). Those who seek him in earnest find him when they least expect. The rest of the disciples went back to their homes contented with seeing the empty tomb, “but Mary stood outside the tomb crying.” When the Lord has done so much for you, you will remain where his presence should be; looking for him in grief.
But grief can also blind your eyes to reality. Even when Jesus showed himself to Mary and asked her why she was crying, she thought “he was the gardener.”
My friend, Mary Magdalene was not the only one who mistook the risen Lord for a gardener. Today we mistake him for a yardman, house help, driver, pauper, etc. But when the Holy Spirit helps to pull off the scales from our eyes, we can be able to see the Christ in those people whom society has tagged, “the scum of the earth!”
And when you have encountered the Risen Lord you cannot keep it to yourself. Tell the others, “I have seen the Lord!” (Jn.20:11-18).
Take home points:
1.When Jesus delivers us from bondage we must cling to him like Mary Magdalene did.
- Jesus does not have any class distinction as to who he should reveal himself to.
- Do not allow your grief to blind you from identifying Christ when he appears to you.
- When Christ appears to you, he commissions you: “Go instead to my brothers and tell them…”
- Lastly do not be ashamed to shout out, “I have seen the Lord!”
Prayer of the week: Lord Jesus Christ, call me by name so that I should know you when I see you. Amen!
Welcome back to a new working week! Have a blessed day and week! Peace be with you!