Why are You Weeping?

John 20:1-18

     Sabbath is over. The gentle light of dawn is just replacing dark on the first day of the week after Jesus' crucifixion and burial. Women, followers of Jesus, who left the tomb to observe the Sabbath, make their way back.

     It was the last place they had seen Him, and they couldn't stay away.

     The stone is gone, and Mary Magdelene runs to tell Peter and, "the other disciple whom Jesus loved", that Jesus has been taken away. The disciples run to the tomb and see for themselves that Jesus is gone, the linen burial cloths lying there empty. The handkerchief that had been around His head, folded and placed neatly by itself. Jesus is gone...the disciples go home.

     But Mary stays. She weeps. She stoops to look in the tomb and sees two angels sitting where Jesus has lain. The angels know where Jesus is. They know He is alive...

     "Woman, why are you weeping?"

     Because Jesus is gone, and she can't find Him. As she stands there, sad and alone, she has no idea that Jesus is alive, or how close Jesus is! And then He calls her name, "Mary".

     Jesus is close to us even when we aren't sure where to find Him. He calls our name, wanting us to turn and believe that He is alive. To rejoice, as Mary did, when she saw Him risen from the grave!

     Jesus told them He would, "be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again." (Luke 24:7)

     Mary, and then many others, would tell you He certainly did!