Grace, mercy and
peace be unto you from God, who is Creator, Christ, and Comforter. Amen
Happy Easter! Isn’t
it just fabulous to be here, gathered with all our family and friends, and
ready to hear the amazing story of the resurrection of Jesus, and today…to talk
about the witness of Mary Magdalene.
What do we really know about Mary Magdalene? What we know is that she is the ONLY
consistent witness of the resurrection in all four gospels. According to Luke’s Gospel, in chapter 8,
Mary had 7 demons cast out of her, and that she…and many other women provided
for Jesus and the disciples out of their resources.
Mary was healed…and she was wealthy enough to help take care
of Jesus and company. We also know that
she walked with Jesus in his earthly ministry.
Lots of other things have been put on Mary Magdalene – adulteress,
sister of Martha, woman who anointed Jesus, wife of Jesus, etc., but none of
that is clearly labeled as Mary Magdalene in the Bible.
So…what do we really know?
We know that she loved
Jesus. And why not? He healed her when no one else could! Of course she loved him – he gave her, her
life back! She followed him and made
sure he ate and slept, and she walked with him through the towns and
villages…and then…
…she walked with him to the cross…
…and to the tomb.
With a love as deep as Mary Magdalene felt, of course she is
the one who stands outside the tomb so very early on that first Easter
morning! She is filled with grief and
sorrow, confusion and hopelessness – weeping.
Weeping like there’s no tomorrow – because, for Mary, without Jesus –
there IS no tomorrow!
Even after the conversation with the two angels, Mary is
inconsolable. Jesus’ body is gone –
someone has robbed the tomb and she cannot do what she came to do – which was
to wash, and dress, and weep over the ONE who had changed her life
forever!
And, sadly, no one was there to offer her comfort – to give
a shoulder of consolation. The disciples
just left her there, alone in the garden, as she weeps in deep and profound
sorrow – all by herself and devastated.
Standing and weeping, it’s the best she can do, it’s the
best any of us can do when we are in the
depths of grief. Her heart is
broken. So, it’s no wonder she didn’t
either see or hear that gardener approach her.
And looking at him through her veil of tears in the early morning light,
in the midst of grief so deep, how could she trust her senses?
The conversation between the two of them is brief, but
life-changing! All that gardener had to
say was her name!
Mary!
Mary, open your eyes, open your heart, open your life and
see…Jesus! See him standing there right
in front of you, in his resurrection body, full of love for you!
See him, Mary!
See those beautiful eyes, those hands, those feet – pierced
and yet healed – and yet not totally healed – as he calls your name! Fall at his feet and worship him, Mary! Thank God for your beloved Rabbouni – teacher
– is alive and well!
Hear him call your name – Mary!
See! It’s Jesus!!
Who here this morning wouldn’t trade places with Mary if
given half a chance? I know I would –
- to stand in the presence of Jesus and to have him call my
name?!?!? Oh yeah, count me in!!!
Who here, this morning, wouldn’t you just love to hear Jesus
call you by your name?!?
It’s true, Jesus calls our name when he names and claims us
as his sister and his brother – co-worker with him in God’s kingdom.
When Jesus calls our name – our greatest grief, our bitterest
sorrow, our deepest fear –all falls away from our lives and drops into Jesus’
outstretched arms.
And we are safe…safe from all harm!
Jesus calls our name – and he reminds us that we are joined
with him in a mission. To go and tell.
Go where? Tell what?
Go to those who do not know this incredible story. And go to those who know the story oh so well
and share three sets of 3 simple words…Jesus is alive! God loves you! Jesus does, too!
Happy Easter, church!
Alleluia! Jesus is alive!
