Personal Resurrection

It was early Sunday morning, nearly 2,000 years ago. “Woman,” Jesus said to Mary, “why are you crying? Who is it that you are looking for?” (John 20:15ff) Emotions spent, life in turmoil, savior lost. She thought she’d get past a half-ton stone? She thought He was a gardener? She thought someone had pulled a “Thomas Crown Affair” on the Lord’s body? She thought she’d fetch Him? She wasn’t quite in her right mind. Too little sleep, too many issues, too many wrongs not made right. It was then that Jesus spoke her name: “Mary.” (16) It must have sounded much the same as the greeting to the disciples a short time later, “Peace be with you.” (19) Wherever we’re at today, the resurrection of Jesus brings the same hope that it did all those years ago. Discouraged, discontent, depressed, despondent, a disaster — and the Lord can resurrect us from them all. Why are you crying? Is it because you have yet to recognize and find hope in the one standing right in front of you? May the Lord bless you with His certain hope and resurrection power this week! —Pastor Terry