Between Life and New Life
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
15 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." 16 Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni!" (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, "Do not touch 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.'" 18 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. (John 20:15-18)
5 But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.' This is my message for you." 8 So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers and sisters to go to Galilee; there they will see me." (Matthew 28:5-10)
He is risen! Each of the gospels tell of Jesus' resurrection, but in slightly different ways. These differences aren't discrepancies, they are alternate perspectives that show what was most important to each writer. While John's gospel seems to emphasize personal relationships, Matthew's gospel focuses on calming the heart - Mark and Luke's gospels are a mixture of these emphases. John's gospel wants us to know that even when confusion and grief kept Mary from recognizing Jesus, as soon as Jesus said her name, Mary felt the familiar love and knew to whom she was speaking. Matthew's gospel reminds us repeatedly not to be afraid - even when things don't make sense and we can't understand what's happening.
Everyday, every moment, we stand outside the tomb of what was, and on the brink of what will be. We don't always choose what we experience in life, but we always have control over how we respond. Certainly there are times when we need to be reminded that Jesus knows us and calls us by name. The acknowledgement that we are deeply known and loved gives us the courage to go into the unknown. There are also many times that we, and the world we live in, feel so out of sorts that we may be tempted to give in to, and be immobilized by, fear. We then need the repeated reminders not to be afraid. All of the gospels tell us that Jesus' victory over sin and death should cause us, like Mary, to run and tell others. Jesus' resurrection empowers us to let everyone know that they are loved, known and called, and that they don't have to be afraid.
He is risen, indeed!
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD. 20 This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it. 21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. 22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. 23 This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
(Psalm 118:19-24)
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