“Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).”
John 20:11-16 NIV
Woman, Why Are You Crying?
Mary.
I can only imagine all the heartache and sorrow Mary was going through.
She was not the only one who felt this way, but she was the one who was there at the tomb. Jesus whom she loved so much was not there. The tomb was empty. Would it make a difference if Jesus would be there, in the tomb, and dead? Many of us might be in a very similar situation today, and I pray God would speak in every heart bringing hope, healing and resurrection.
Mary’s mind was concentrated on the loss. She thought that someone took the body of Jesus. Grief, pain of loss, blinded Mary’s eyes. Even when Jesus was talking to her, she thought it was someone else. She did not recognize His voice. That is what tragedy or traumatic experience often does to us, and we can find ourselves in the same place as Mary.
Jesus speaks to us all the time, but often we do not hear him or recognize his voice.
The question Jesus asked Mary, why are you crying? Did Jesus know what Mary was going through? He did. He knew why Mary was crying! He knew! Mary did not see anything, but only an empty tomb. Maybe you see an empty tomb with no hope too, but… Jesus is standing next to you.
Jesus loved Mary – He loves you. He knew Mary’s heart – He knows yours as well. He wanted to comfort her – He wants to comfort you.
-“Mary!” He called her by name.
Today Jesus is calling your name.
He is the Resurrection and Life. He is the answer to all your questions. He is Peace, He is Joy, He is Everything. He is “I Am”. Dull pain – looking into nowhere? Remember, help is here. That help is Jesus.
I pray you will look at Him… let your heart reach out and touch Him. Help is available – it is Jesus. Just listen,… He is calling your name.
Mary was crying because she felt she lost everything. She needed Jesus, the one who brought her back to life some time ago. Now it seems like she lost Him and she cannot imagine life without Him.
I do not know why you are crying. But I can tell you, Jesus is closer than you think. You need Him and He is there for you. He knows what you feel, He knows your pain and He wants to comfort and heal you. He wants you to walk in freedom. He is standing in the place of your loss. He is your Hope. You can trust Him. Open your heart and allow Him to touch you. He is calling your name. Turn to Him, look at Him, call His name and let Him into your heart.
