What happens after Easter? Eggs have been hunted and found. Chocolate bunnies have been consumed. Easter programs have been sung. Families have gathered for Easter dinners and dishes have been washed and put away. Family pictures have been taken. Easter clothes have been tucked into closets. It occurs to me that we tuck Easter away as quickly as Christmas or any other holiday.
This week, in our brief devotional time together, I would like to pause and take a look at what happened the few days that followed Easter, from the perspective of people present at the original event. We will look at Mary Magdalene, the Guards, the Disciples, Thomas, and Peter. Perhaps through their eyes we will find a fresh way to respond to the question, What happens after Easter?
The four Gospels offer a slight variation in the account of the women who went to the tomb. Luke simply identifies them as “the women who accompanied Jesus from Galilee,” (c.f., Luke 23:55) while Mark gives a more specific roll call of Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph, and Salome,” (c.f., Mark 15:40). Matthew pairs Mary Magdalene with “the other Mary,” (c.f., Matthew 28:1). It is John who emphasizes the presence of Mary Magdalene, and we will explore the post-Easter days through her eyes.
What do we know about Mary Magdalene? We know that she had been healed by Jesus; she was cured of seven evil spirits, (c.f., Luke 8:1 and Mark 16:9). We know she was present at the crucifixion of Christ, (c.f., Mark 15:40). We know she followed the body of her Savior as he was placed in the tomb, (c.f., Matthew 27:56). That tomb was now sealed with guards posted. That tomb holds the only One who ever considered her more than human refuse. To the Jewish culture of the day she was unclean, unlovable, and less than the least of humans. To the Jewish culture of the day, dogs had been considered more valuable than she. That is until Jesus reached out in compassion and healed her. To Jesus she was a woman of worth and value. Now, the unjust treatment of Jesus was clearly evident and she would make certain his death received proper care.
John 20:1 (NIV) 1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”
How could this be? She had promised herself to care for the body of her dearly loved Savior; the only One to see her value and worth. And now, the body was gone. As I consider Mary Magdalene, I cannot even fathom the range of emotions running through her distraught mind. And then, oh but then... a familiar voice...
John 20:16 (NIV) Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
One word. Her name. She knew in that moment she had not been abandoned. Her Savior, her Lord, her “Rabboni!” Teacher was alive!
John 20:18 (NIV) Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!”
Now it is time for us to consider, What happens after Easter? Jesus suffered and died for us. But it is Easter, and He has risen! He is alive! How will we respond?
Gracious Heavenly Father,
Words cannot express my gratitude for your mercy and love that provided for my salvation through the suffering, death, and resurrection of your Only Son, Jesus Christ. Through Mary Magadene’s experience written in your Word, I have seen the Lord! My heart sings with joy. Christ lives for me; now let me live my days for Him.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
The devotional What Happens After Easter? appeared first on
Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com
Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com
Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
No comments:
Post a Comment