Focus

Let yourself become open to God and the knowledge that comes from the Word. Ask God for peace at this time.

Read

John 20:11-20 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

Reflect

Can’t we imagine how Mary must have felt going to the tomb of Jesus that quiet Sunday morning? The sun had not yet risen. Maybe there was the sound of the chirping of a bird as the morning was breaking. She stood weeping at the empty tomb. Her weeping soon turned to joy at the sight of Jesus, whom she had presumed to be the gardener.

The greatest event for all humankind has finally happened. Jesus had risen from the grave. He had broken the chains of death. We do not truly die but transition in Christ to a new life in the heavenly realms. It is natural to grieve for a loved ones who have transitioned to be with God. After all, they are not here for us to converse with or to hug. We can still be comforted to know that they have risen in Christ. A new day begins for our loved when they leave us. They have forgotten the cares of the world and moved on to a new residence. When we die in Christ, we live with Christ for all of eternity.

Do you ever wonder what the family reunion will be like in heaven? Will we sing the old hymns we love so much or learn new songs? I cannot even begin to imagine the wonders that God has in store for us. I like to imagine we will see colors we have never seen before, music that has never been heard on this earth and that we gain new wisdom and knowledge.

Pray

God, we trust in your promise of eternal life. We are thankful of the sacrifice Jesus made for us. In the rough times, help us to remember this journey on earth is temporary. Our real home is with you and we are so thankful. Amen.

Go with God!