Ancient Words For Today - 35
Can you imagine the amazement and exceeding joy Mary Magdalene felt when Jesus called to her by name on Resurrection morning and how glorious it must have been as she turned and beheld Him, her risen Lord and Savior?
But earlier that morning she had arrived at the tomb grief-stricken, expecting to attend to the body of her beloved, crucified Lord. Instead, she found that the stone sealing the entrance to the tomb had been rolled away. Weeping, as she looked into the empty tomb, she saw two angels who asked her why she wept. They told her that the body of Jesus was not there but that He had risen from the dead, on the third day - just as he had promised!
As she departed from the tomb, a man (whom she supposed to be the gardener) asked why she was weeping and whom she was seeking. Not recognizing that it was Jesus Himself who spoke to her, she replied that if he had taken the body away to tell her where it was so she could retrieve it.
Then Jesus said, "Mary." Immediately she recognized His loving, compassionate voice, her spirit revived and soared as she turned and beheld Him, replying Rabboni, which means Master. Then she went quickly, as Jesus instructed her, and told the others the good news that Jesus was risen from the dead and that she had seen and spoken to Him.
This is an amazing story of how the resurrection of Jesus transformed Mary's time of sorrow, anguish and despair over His death into a glorious occasion of happiness, joy, and hope! God continues to perform this same miracle today as those who are lost and despairing, without hope in a world of sin and darkness, hear the loving voice of Jesus calling to them and respond - calling upon Him as their Lord and Savior.
Jesus promises the wonderful gift of eternal life to those who recognize their hopeless condition, hear His plan of salvation and thankfully receive His forgiveness of their sins. When this happens in a person's heart, they are transformed by God and become a new creation that can relate to God in spirit and in truth! They then will also rejoice in Jesus and want to tell others about the good news of His resurrection and the certain promise of eternal life to those who believe in and trust in Jesus.
Christians around the world remember and celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the new life we have been given through faith in Him. It is also important that we remember to tell others, who haven't heard the good news, that Jesus is risen from the dead and to share His wonderful plan of salvation with those who are lost! Then, they too, will be able to share our joy in Jesus and the certain hope of eternal life that He promises those who receive and believe in Him!
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
How would you answer this critically important question posed by Jesus? Do you believe in Him? If not, why not receive Him right now as your savior and Lord?
HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!!