Apr 18, 2011
Restored
“Mary” (John 20:16)
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Imagine the penetrating pain that tormented the closest followers of Jesus. Mary waited. John waited. Mary Magdalene waited. The pain of separation from Jesus would have mirrored the joy of friendship with him. They loved him enough to endure the eyewitness of his torture and death. And because of that love, the wait in the darkness is tumultuous. Shattered, sober, and silent, Mary Magdalene “came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.” (John 20:1) Imagine her panic. The only thing worse than having her Lord crucified is having her Lord’s body stolen and desecrated. “Mary Magdalene stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb” (John 20:11). Mary Magdalene peers into the tomb, hoping that her earlier insight as to his absence was a bad dream. However, there is something different here, there is someone different here, for “she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lain, one at the head and one at the feet.” (John 20:12) The question as to why she is looking disturbs her desolation so she “turned around”. Then she sees him. She sees him, but can’t recognize him. She wants him—she wants her Lord. But he is “gone” in her eyes, thus, her eyes don’t recognize his presence. Wanting her more than she wants him, Jesus—the risen Lord—says, “Mary!” “Mary!” With that, Mary Magdalene erupts with joy! Only he could say her name the way he did. When Jesus found her
searching in life, she was driving with flat tires. But, when Jesus entered Mary Magdalene’s life she tasted a glimpse of what it’s like to live life with an restored heart—with a heart fully “inflated” with God’s perfect love. With his death, Mary feared that flat tires would once again rule her existence.
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But, he has risen. He has conquered. And, the great divorce between God and man has been healed forever. The perfect marriage of God and man, once destroyed with the Fall, is now restored in Jesus Christ. And because of Easter, because of the Bridegroom, we can live our lives now with our hearts once again restored. Happy Easter—for Easter is about living our lives restored once again.
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Go back to the early days of the journey. Why were we on this journey? Why did Jesus come? Why Lent? Why were we walking together? Because Jesus came “so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10). Jesus came to wed man back to God. It has happened. The world is once again restored. Beacause of this journey your life is different. You have been changed. You are in love. Your tires are “inflated.” Spend some time in thankgiving … and don’t return to flat tires … ever.
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FOR YOUR PRAYER
Pray with John 20:11-18. You are Mary. Jesus pursues you. Jesus calls your name. What stirs within as you see him alive?.
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The Journey to Jerusalem: A Lenten Retreat
Journey to Jerusalem is a bound, 30 page Journey through Lent including daily reflections, scriptures and suggestions for your prayers, as well as a “how to” guide with specific tips on how to pray with the resource.
Great for your own personal reflection or as a group. Bulk rates available.
“I used this last year and it took me to a much deeper place in my faith. It changed my life.” -Paige, Tucson
