As we fast approach Easter, which will be on us very quickly, we see in John 20:26 Mary’s Response to Resurrection – “Jesus said unto her, ‘Mary.’ She turned herself, and said unto him, ‘Rabboni;’ which is to say, Master.”
The message of Mary is akin to those finding renewal in the modern church. There is a parallel which is very similar to her experience with the resurrected Lord. Something can be spiritually gained from this simple meditation. Let’s lay a few pointers down.
1 She came in the darkness of the early morning
At least she came. Many of us come to God in the darkness and confusion of life not understanding fully what the darkness is all about. Why she came to the sepulchre when it was sealed, we’ll never know, but she came. That’s a mark in her favour, she did what she could. She had a heart that longed for fellowship with divinity; she wanted his presence, even in death, just to be near the place of his resting. Her hope had gone but she came. Her light had gone but she came. Her deliverer had gone but she came.
The time is important for it shows she couldn’t sleep and urgently wanted to be near the tomb.
She was distracted enough to believe that although He was dead, at least if she was in close proximity to where He lay, he might help her. Her ignorance of the mystery of resurrection did not prevent her commitment to His memory. Sometimes in the bewilderment of life it is wise to commit to what He has done for us in the past. At least cling to that.
2. She came looking for comfort and safety –
She had been delivered of seven demons, and now who was to keep her free from being a vassal of the darkness again? Even the dead body of the Lord would have more power than the ministry of the living. Jesus asleep in the boat was more powerful than the devil awake! Even the woman who touched the hem of his robe was healed. Clothes are inanimate objects yet were able to perform miracles under God; the handkerchiefs of Paul’s day laid on the sick healed them.
3. She came out of unbelief into revelation –
She had to turn herself. She was looking at despair and supposed death. The disciples came, to look and make the adjustment to Christ’s resurrection, but she failed to hear their conversation and still thought Him dead and stolen. The early morning was dark and she wouldn’t see very well, hence her mistake. The early morning often troubles us.
God comes to us and we think He is a gardener, because that vision fulfils our expectations, and we thus limit Him to planting flowers not planting vision. Because we don’t expect, we convince ourselves He must be someone else. The disciple rowing against the storm thought Jesus was a ghost walking on water.
4. She understood the revelation word –
‘Mary.’ Personal name for a personal revelation. When God speaks He doesn’t waste words. He can say more in one word than an orator in a whole speech. He is able to step off this written page and speak a word, and only we will know it. Our response to revelation is to fall at His feet. God can speak more than one word, and He might just do that to you to as you read this today.
God does not go into rational, dialogue to convince the sceptic that he is God, He just uses the ‘know word’ that releases faith and understanding. He used a word she knew and understood, He’ll do that through the prophetic word today, he did it to Paul on the Damascus Road.
5. She submitted to the position of dominion –
She fell at his feet, so must we. Getting down is the first step to getting on with God. God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. I don’t need to fall down, and that’s absolutely right, but then you don’t have to have God’s revelation either. You are never free not to do anything, until you are free to do it.
6. She received a commission
Jesus said “Go tell.” She didn’t lie there forever, but she did lie. And from thence went out on mission. Our revelations and worship must eventually lead to evangelism. We cannot stay on Transfiguration Mount, there are demons to cast out! Wouldn’t we all want booths and brightness, but ministry beckons.
