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Day 38 John 20:11 John 20:11 But Mary stood without at the sepulcher weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulcher, 12 And saw two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weep thou? She said unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. 14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said unto her, Woman, why weep thou? Whom seek thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, said unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. 16 Jesus said unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and said unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. 17 Jesus said unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. 18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. Have you experienced not knowing someone you know, but haven’t seen in many years? Yet they know you? I’ve experienced it many times, especially at school reunions and family reunions when I see people I haven’t seen since they were much younger and they look nothing like I remembered. Mary was upset because her Lord was gone from the tomb and she wanted to find Him and bring Him back. When she came face to face with Jesus, she didn’t know it was Him until He spoke her name. Then she recognized Him and her heart rejoiced to see Him alive. As Christians, you might wonder why Mary didn’t know Jesus, whom she saw alive only a few days before, and you might tell yourself you would know Him. Yet, would you know Him? The angels told Mary, Jesus rose from the dead. Mary didn’t understand what the angels told her. First, Jesus needed to open her understanding before she could see Him. Two men on the road to Emmaus didn’t know Jesus traveled with them until He opened their understanding. Luke 24:15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were held that they should not know him. 25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. 29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. 30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and break, and gave to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. Mary needed to understand what the angels said to her before she saw Jesus. When she did, she rejoiced and went back to tell the disciples she saw Jesus and spoke to Him. You need to see Jesus as Mary and the two men saw Him, through understanding, and the only way to understand is to read His Word. When you do you will see Jesus in the circumstances of your lives. You will see His hand of blessing on you keeping you safe, protecting you, providing everything you need. You will see Him in the promises He gives you through His Word. And you will understand only Jesus could do what He did for you. When you see Jesus, you will rejoice as Mary did and you will tell others what Jesus did for you. Let’s pray: Father, open my understanding so I will see You in the circumstances of my life and I will know You and tell everyone what You did for me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 9 January 2019 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay