The Resurrection is Personal
Mark 16:1-8
Message #63
The Resurrection is absolutely central to the entire Gospel message. It is absolutely central to our faith in Jesus Christ. In fact, without the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, there is no Christianity! Everything about our eternal life with God hinges on the Cross and Resurrection. In the Resurrection Jesus Christ paid for your sins on the Cross, he beat death and the grave in the three days, and the Resurrection was as a pioneer for you. He’s going before you as the Firstfruits of the Resurrection, which means by faith (Romans 6 says), that you are so identified with Jesus Christ that his Resurrection becomes your resurrection. His eternity with God becomes our eternity with God. But… for it to be personal for you, it must be personal to you.
The Resurrection is true… whether it is true for you or not. But for it to be true for you, it must be personal to you.
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the fulcrum of our faith and it is our personal victory over sin, death, and the grave. It is our personal launching into eternal life. But… for it to be personal for us, it must be personal to us. What Jesus did – he did. And did it for you, but you don’t own it (the word is “appropriate”) until it is personal to you. It’s a pretty big deal.
Today, we want to focus on Mary Magdalene because there is so much in the Gospels about how personal the Resurrection was for her. Mary Magdalene had a major role in our last message, “Courageous Followers” and we ended that message with Mark 15 verse 47.
Mark 15:47 (NLT)
47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where Jesus’ body was laid.
So, they knew exactly where the tomb was.
And so, now (finally), in Mark Chapter 16, we come to the most significant event in all of history.
Mark 16:1-4 (NLT)
1 Saturday evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went out and purchased burial spices so they could anoint Jesus’ body.
2 Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they went to the tomb.
3 On the way they were asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?”
4 But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside.
The Gospel of Matthew fills in for us how that stone got rolled away.
Matthew 28:2–4 (NLT)
2 Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it.
3 His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow.
4 The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.
This IS IT! This is the moment that all of heaven has been waiting for – the Resurrection! All of creation is waiting for this moment! And Romans Chapter 8 says all of creation is looking forward to this moment when we (the sons of God) will be revealed to the world. That’s all happening right here when the stone rolls away and Jesus is resurrected from the dead. This is everything!
And these verses in Matthew are why when Mary Magdalene and the women got to the tomb, the “welcome mat” was already laid out for them.
So, continuing back in Mark 16.
Mark 16:5 (NLT)
5 When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side (Luke says his robe was gleaming like lightning). The women were shocked,
This word translated as “shocked” means they were “uncontrollably terrified.”
Mark 16:6 (NLT)
6 but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body.
Jesus has risen from the dead.
This is the most profound miracle in all history. God became a man (this is God Expressed, God in Expression), took on himself your sins and mine, paid for them completely on the Cross, then paid the consequences of sin, and beat death, and the grave in your place, and rose from the dead so that by faith in him, we are so united with him, we can do the same thing! This is what our faith is all about – this is everything.
When churches try to make Jesus all about “this life” – they say Jesus can really help you in this life, he can really get you that car you want, the job you want, and that new husband you want, he can do all of that for you – that’s not why he died. He died for this. And he beat death and the grave and rose again so we can beat death and the grave and rise again in him! This is what our faith is about. This is what the Gospel is about.
And for this to become personal for you, it must become personal to you. You must embrace it personally in order to appropriate it to you. It must become personal to you.
And so, the angel continues speaking to the women.
Mark 16:7 (NLT)
7 Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.”
Jerusalem is really full of spiritual battle. It’s the center of the spiritual world, it really is, for this earth. Galilee, on the other hand, is the most peaceful place you will ever step foot in. When we go, we just sit on the shore where Jesus called the Disciples and we are quiet. We go through a process of Jesus calling us, and us responding in the same spot the Disciples did. The Galilee is personal for Jesus, and it was personal for the Disciples. That’s where they lived together. Jerusalem was always a battle. Jesus stayed one night in Jerusalem because he was in chains in Caiaphas’ house the night before he was crucified. Other than that, Jesus stayed with his friends in Bethany.
Go and tell his Disciples – including Peter! Do you think the Resurrection of Jesus would be personal for Peter? It would be – for sure!
For the follower who may have been the greatest sinner, and for the leader of the twelve who became the “denier”, the Resurrection of Jesus was very personal, and the Resurrection must become very personal for us.
And so,
Mark 16:8 (NLT)
8 The women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, and they said nothing to anyone (meaning anyone on the way) because they were too frightened . . .
Now, in order for us to see Mary Magdalene’s heart, we need to turn over to John Chapter 20.
John 20:2 (NLT)
2 She (Mary Magdalene) ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved (that’s John). She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”
Mary Magdalene was in shock as the other Disciples were about to be even though… Jesus had told them, plainly, this is exactly what was going to happen.
But notice, the first Disciple Mary finds, is Peter. Just three days ago, Peter had bitterly denied Christ – three times. But Peter is there now with John (the “other” Disciple) and Mary Magdalene reports to them first. This is interesting that Peter is with John now because where had Peter been the last three days? We don’t know. But we know he’s under a mountain of guilt, and I don’t assume that he was hanging out. I assume he was wandering the streets of Jerusalem or something. But now, he’s back with John and that is a good thing.
And so, John 20 verses 3 and 4 say,
John 20:3–4 (NLT)
3 Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb.
4 They were both running, (and then notice this important, eternally significant fact) but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.
The “other Disciple” is the Apostle John the writer of this Gospel. Isn’t it interesting that John makes a point here in the eternal Word of God that he outran Peter to the tomb?
But the real question is… why weren’t they already there? Jesus had made it perfectly clear he would rise on the third day but their faith had been shaken by his death and they were most likely hiding somewhere. The Good News is the Disciple’s faith was about to be changed forever.
And so, congratulations to John for outrunning Peter to the tomb. And then we read in John 20 verse 5,
John 20:5 (NLT)
5 He (John, who arrived first) stooped and looked in and SAW the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in.
John was stunned and he stopped at the entrance to try to make sense of it, and he looked in the tomb and he saw the linen wrappings lying there.
This Greek word for “saw” means “a cursory look” but he did not go in.
John 20:6(a) (NLT)
6 Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside (blowing right past John) . . .
While John was contemplating at the door of the tomb, Peter came with a full-speed, head-first dive into the tomb, like he was diving into Homeplate to win the big game.
John 20:6(b)-7 (NLT)
6 . . . He (Peter) also NOTICED the linen wrappings lying there,
7 while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings.
This Greek word for “noticed” is a different word and it means “to look carefully, to look intently.” Jesus had left proof of his Resurrection and Peter was “looking intently” at it (which is good for Peter).
John 20:8 (NLT)
8 Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he SAW and BELIEVED
(Again) thank you John for reminding us that you beat Peter in that epic foot race. But here, this third word for “saw” is the Greek word OIDA, meaning “to perceive or discern” and as John “perceived and discerned” what he saw, verse 8 says he “believed.”
And in these three Greek words for “saw” we have the process that many of us take toward salvation.
First, we take a cursory look at the facts about Jesus.
Secondly, we take a careful, intent look at Jesus.
Thirdly, the Holy Spirit causes us to perceive, or discern that Jesus truly is exactly who he says he is.
AND THEN we believe.
And so, finally, Peter and John are perceiving and discerning.
John 20:9 (NLT)
9 for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead.
But now, it seems like they are really starting to get it (perceiving, discerning, believing).
And so, in response to Peter and John’s incredible revelation and their newfound understanding,
John 20:10 (NLT)
10 Then they went home.
Hold it – what? I don’t know, I can’t figure these guys out.
But it seems like Mary Magdalene may have gotten back to the tomb, just as Peter and John decided “to go home.” And so, we read in John 20 verse 11,
John 20:11(a) (NLT)
11 Mary was standing outside the tomb crying . . .
This is the word for the traditional “death wail.” This is sobbing from the depths of a broken heart.
John 20:11(b)-12 (NLT)
11 . . . and as she wept, she stooped and looked in.
12 She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying.
These angels were there in order to get the correct information out that Jesus is alive! He is risen! And we can imagine they must have been a bit amused watching these people pop in and then run away. And so, they ask Mary,
John 20:13(a) (NLT)
13 “Dear woman, why are you crying?” the angels asked her . . .
It seems to me like they’re saying, “What is it about the Resurrection that you are having a hard time understanding?” Then, Mary answers.
John 20:13(b) (NLT)
13 . . . “Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”
At this moment, the angels must’ve just grinned, or maybe they stood at attention because now they were looking past Mary (behind her).
John 20:14 (NLT)
14 She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him.
This (again) is the Greek word “to perceive, or discern.” Mary did not perceive or discern that this was Jesus.
But – let me stop and point out a few things here that make the Resurrection personal for Mary Magdalene.
1). The first person Jesus revealed himself to after the Resurrection was maybe the worst sinner of all of his followers. Jesus didn’t choose to reveal himself first to the most religious or the one who sinned the least. But instead, Jesus chose to reveal himself first to the one who needed him most. Jesus Christ came to save the lost, and the worst of sinners.
2). Notice Mary’s all-consuming desire to find Jesus This was personal for Mary Magdalene. She needed to find Jesus. She had to get to Jesus. She was no longer impressed with the angels talking to her, and she hardly notices this new person behind her. She just wants to get to Jesus and everything else is a blur.
3). Notice the first words of the Resurrected Lord
John 20:15(a) (NLT)
15 “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?” . . .
Jesus’ heart is moved and in response, Jesus asks her, “WHO are you looking for?” Not what are you looking for, but “who”! And Jesus still asks the broken-hearted today, “Why are you weeping? Who are you seeking?”
But listen, please, when Jesus comes to you in a similar situation, don’t mistake him for the gardener. That’s what Mary did in the second half of this verse.
John 20:15(b) (NLT)
15 . . . She thought he was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.”
Notice Mary’s intense determination to get to Jesus wherever he’s at and whatever it takes.
THAT is what I mean by “we’ve got to make the Resurrection personal.”
And finally, we read,
John 20:16 (NLT)
16 “Mary!” Jesus said. She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew (Aramaic) for “Teacher” (Master)).
It is only when Mary heard the voice of the Lord that she turned to him. In that day women did not look male strangers in the eye, and so Mary hadn’t really look at Jesus until he said her name. They each said only one word and each “one word” spoke volumes.
Jesus called Mary by her name
and she called Jesus by his position in her life.
And I pray it’s the same for each one of us! On that day that we see the Risen Lord, will he call us by our name, or will he say, “I never knew you”? We will willingly call him “master” or will we be forced to acknowledge him as “Lord of All”?
Jesus was Mary’s personal Lord. And at this point, Mary probably fell at Jesus’ feet and tried to throw her arms around him – but he stopped her.
John 20:17 (NLT)
17 “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
Look at this word, “brothers.” Go find my brothers… This is the first time Jesus refers to his Disciples as “my brothers” because it is the victory of the Resurrection that makes us “joint-heirs” with Jesus Christ and adopted sons and daughters of God.
And so, we read in John 20 verse 18,
John 20:18 (NLT)
18 Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, “I have seen the Lord!” Then she gave them his message.
Guys, there are a dozen critical lessons we can learn from the Resurrection. But I believe the most important lesson of all – is personal. It’s the lesson we learn from Mary Magdalene. Mary Magdalene just wanted to see Jesus. She had one goal, one focus, one purpose – “Where can I find Jesus?” The world convinces us to seek out the things in this world, but if we would grasp the eternal life-giving power of the Resurrection, we would seek out only one thing, “Where can I find Jesus?”
Not – where can I go to church?
Not – how can I be more religious?
But – where can I find the risen Lord Jesus? And when we do find him, the Resurrection will become personal because his life will become our life.
The Resurrection is the most profound miracle in all history. But it is of no value until we say with Mary, “Where can I find Jesus? I will not rest until I see Jesus.” Then the Resurrection becomes personal and the eternal gift of the Resurrection becomes personal.
But in order for that to happen, your faith in Jesus must become personal and real, and then one day your personal faith in Jesus will allow you to shed this mortal body and this mortal life and be resurrected just like Jesus was in a real, new, glorified, eternal body to spend eternity in glory – with Jesus – PERSONALLY.
The Resurrection is true… whether it is true for you or not. But for it to be true for you, it must be personal to you.
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the fulcrum of our faith and it is our personal victory over sin, death, and the grave. It is our personal launching into eternal life. But… for it to be personal for us, it must be personal to us. What Jesus did – he did. And did it for you, but you don’t own it (the word is “appropriate”) until it is personal to you. It’s a pretty big deal.
Today, we want to focus on Mary Magdalene because there is so much in the Gospels about how personal the Resurrection was for her. Mary Magdalene had a major role in our last message, “Courageous Followers” and we ended that message with Mark 15 verse 47.
Mark 15:47 (NLT)
47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where Jesus’ body was laid.
So, they knew exactly where the tomb was.
And so, now (finally), in Mark Chapter 16, we come to the most significant event in all of history.
Mark 16:1-4 (NLT)
1 Saturday evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went out and purchased burial spices so they could anoint Jesus’ body.
2 Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they went to the tomb.
3 On the way they were asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?”
4 But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside.
The Gospel of Matthew fills in for us how that stone got rolled away.
Matthew 28:2–4 (NLT)
2 Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it.
3 His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow.
4 The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.
This IS IT! This is the moment that all of heaven has been waiting for – the Resurrection! All of creation is waiting for this moment! And Romans Chapter 8 says all of creation is looking forward to this moment when we (the sons of God) will be revealed to the world. That’s all happening right here when the stone rolls away and Jesus is resurrected from the dead. This is everything!
And these verses in Matthew are why when Mary Magdalene and the women got to the tomb, the “welcome mat” was already laid out for them.
So, continuing back in Mark 16.
Mark 16:5 (NLT)
5 When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side (Luke says his robe was gleaming like lightning). The women were shocked,
This word translated as “shocked” means they were “uncontrollably terrified.”
Mark 16:6 (NLT)
6 but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body.
Jesus has risen from the dead.
This is the most profound miracle in all history. God became a man (this is God Expressed, God in Expression), took on himself your sins and mine, paid for them completely on the Cross, then paid the consequences of sin, and beat death, and the grave in your place, and rose from the dead so that by faith in him, we are so united with him, we can do the same thing! This is what our faith is all about – this is everything.
When churches try to make Jesus all about “this life” – they say Jesus can really help you in this life, he can really get you that car you want, the job you want, and that new husband you want, he can do all of that for you – that’s not why he died. He died for this. And he beat death and the grave and rose again so we can beat death and the grave and rise again in him! This is what our faith is about. This is what the Gospel is about.
And for this to become personal for you, it must become personal to you. You must embrace it personally in order to appropriate it to you. It must become personal to you.
And so, the angel continues speaking to the women.
Mark 16:7 (NLT)
7 Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.”
Jerusalem is really full of spiritual battle. It’s the center of the spiritual world, it really is, for this earth. Galilee, on the other hand, is the most peaceful place you will ever step foot in. When we go, we just sit on the shore where Jesus called the Disciples and we are quiet. We go through a process of Jesus calling us, and us responding in the same spot the Disciples did. The Galilee is personal for Jesus, and it was personal for the Disciples. That’s where they lived together. Jerusalem was always a battle. Jesus stayed one night in Jerusalem because he was in chains in Caiaphas’ house the night before he was crucified. Other than that, Jesus stayed with his friends in Bethany.
Go and tell his Disciples – including Peter! Do you think the Resurrection of Jesus would be personal for Peter? It would be – for sure!
For the follower who may have been the greatest sinner, and for the leader of the twelve who became the “denier”, the Resurrection of Jesus was very personal, and the Resurrection must become very personal for us.
And so,
Mark 16:8 (NLT)
8 The women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, and they said nothing to anyone (meaning anyone on the way) because they were too frightened . . .
Now, in order for us to see Mary Magdalene’s heart, we need to turn over to John Chapter 20.
John 20:2 (NLT)
2 She (Mary Magdalene) ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved (that’s John). She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”
Mary Magdalene was in shock as the other Disciples were about to be even though… Jesus had told them, plainly, this is exactly what was going to happen.
But notice, the first Disciple Mary finds, is Peter. Just three days ago, Peter had bitterly denied Christ – three times. But Peter is there now with John (the “other” Disciple) and Mary Magdalene reports to them first. This is interesting that Peter is with John now because where had Peter been the last three days? We don’t know. But we know he’s under a mountain of guilt, and I don’t assume that he was hanging out. I assume he was wandering the streets of Jerusalem or something. But now, he’s back with John and that is a good thing.
And so, John 20 verses 3 and 4 say,
John 20:3–4 (NLT)
3 Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb.
4 They were both running, (and then notice this important, eternally significant fact) but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.
The “other Disciple” is the Apostle John the writer of this Gospel. Isn’t it interesting that John makes a point here in the eternal Word of God that he outran Peter to the tomb?
But the real question is… why weren’t they already there? Jesus had made it perfectly clear he would rise on the third day but their faith had been shaken by his death and they were most likely hiding somewhere. The Good News is the Disciple’s faith was about to be changed forever.
And so, congratulations to John for outrunning Peter to the tomb. And then we read in John 20 verse 5,
John 20:5 (NLT)
5 He (John, who arrived first) stooped and looked in and SAW the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in.
John was stunned and he stopped at the entrance to try to make sense of it, and he looked in the tomb and he saw the linen wrappings lying there.
This Greek word for “saw” means “a cursory look” but he did not go in.
John 20:6(a) (NLT)
6 Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside (blowing right past John) . . .
While John was contemplating at the door of the tomb, Peter came with a full-speed, head-first dive into the tomb, like he was diving into Homeplate to win the big game.
John 20:6(b)-7 (NLT)
6 . . . He (Peter) also NOTICED the linen wrappings lying there,
7 while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings.
This Greek word for “noticed” is a different word and it means “to look carefully, to look intently.” Jesus had left proof of his Resurrection and Peter was “looking intently” at it (which is good for Peter).
John 20:8 (NLT)
8 Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he SAW and BELIEVED
(Again) thank you John for reminding us that you beat Peter in that epic foot race. But here, this third word for “saw” is the Greek word OIDA, meaning “to perceive or discern” and as John “perceived and discerned” what he saw, verse 8 says he “believed.”
And in these three Greek words for “saw” we have the process that many of us take toward salvation.
First, we take a cursory look at the facts about Jesus.
Secondly, we take a careful, intent look at Jesus.
Thirdly, the Holy Spirit causes us to perceive, or discern that Jesus truly is exactly who he says he is.
AND THEN we believe.
And so, finally, Peter and John are perceiving and discerning.
John 20:9 (NLT)
9 for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead.
But now, it seems like they are really starting to get it (perceiving, discerning, believing).
And so, in response to Peter and John’s incredible revelation and their newfound understanding,
John 20:10 (NLT)
10 Then they went home.
Hold it – what? I don’t know, I can’t figure these guys out.
But it seems like Mary Magdalene may have gotten back to the tomb, just as Peter and John decided “to go home.” And so, we read in John 20 verse 11,
John 20:11(a) (NLT)
11 Mary was standing outside the tomb crying . . .
This is the word for the traditional “death wail.” This is sobbing from the depths of a broken heart.
John 20:11(b)-12 (NLT)
11 . . . and as she wept, she stooped and looked in.
12 She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying.
These angels were there in order to get the correct information out that Jesus is alive! He is risen! And we can imagine they must have been a bit amused watching these people pop in and then run away. And so, they ask Mary,
John 20:13(a) (NLT)
13 “Dear woman, why are you crying?” the angels asked her . . .
It seems to me like they’re saying, “What is it about the Resurrection that you are having a hard time understanding?” Then, Mary answers.
John 20:13(b) (NLT)
13 . . . “Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”
At this moment, the angels must’ve just grinned, or maybe they stood at attention because now they were looking past Mary (behind her).
John 20:14 (NLT)
14 She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him.
This (again) is the Greek word “to perceive, or discern.” Mary did not perceive or discern that this was Jesus.
But – let me stop and point out a few things here that make the Resurrection personal for Mary Magdalene.
1). The first person Jesus revealed himself to after the Resurrection was maybe the worst sinner of all of his followers. Jesus didn’t choose to reveal himself first to the most religious or the one who sinned the least. But instead, Jesus chose to reveal himself first to the one who needed him most. Jesus Christ came to save the lost, and the worst of sinners.
2). Notice Mary’s all-consuming desire to find Jesus This was personal for Mary Magdalene. She needed to find Jesus. She had to get to Jesus. She was no longer impressed with the angels talking to her, and she hardly notices this new person behind her. She just wants to get to Jesus and everything else is a blur.
3). Notice the first words of the Resurrected Lord
John 20:15(a) (NLT)
15 “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?” . . .
Jesus’ heart is moved and in response, Jesus asks her, “WHO are you looking for?” Not what are you looking for, but “who”! And Jesus still asks the broken-hearted today, “Why are you weeping? Who are you seeking?”
But listen, please, when Jesus comes to you in a similar situation, don’t mistake him for the gardener. That’s what Mary did in the second half of this verse.
John 20:15(b) (NLT)
15 . . . She thought he was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.”
Notice Mary’s intense determination to get to Jesus wherever he’s at and whatever it takes.
THAT is what I mean by “we’ve got to make the Resurrection personal.”
And finally, we read,
John 20:16 (NLT)
16 “Mary!” Jesus said. She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew (Aramaic) for “Teacher” (Master)).
It is only when Mary heard the voice of the Lord that she turned to him. In that day women did not look male strangers in the eye, and so Mary hadn’t really look at Jesus until he said her name. They each said only one word and each “one word” spoke volumes.
Jesus called Mary by her name
and she called Jesus by his position in her life.
And I pray it’s the same for each one of us! On that day that we see the Risen Lord, will he call us by our name, or will he say, “I never knew you”? We will willingly call him “master” or will we be forced to acknowledge him as “Lord of All”?
Jesus was Mary’s personal Lord. And at this point, Mary probably fell at Jesus’ feet and tried to throw her arms around him – but he stopped her.
John 20:17 (NLT)
17 “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
Look at this word, “brothers.” Go find my brothers… This is the first time Jesus refers to his Disciples as “my brothers” because it is the victory of the Resurrection that makes us “joint-heirs” with Jesus Christ and adopted sons and daughters of God.
And so, we read in John 20 verse 18,
John 20:18 (NLT)
18 Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, “I have seen the Lord!” Then she gave them his message.
Guys, there are a dozen critical lessons we can learn from the Resurrection. But I believe the most important lesson of all – is personal. It’s the lesson we learn from Mary Magdalene. Mary Magdalene just wanted to see Jesus. She had one goal, one focus, one purpose – “Where can I find Jesus?” The world convinces us to seek out the things in this world, but if we would grasp the eternal life-giving power of the Resurrection, we would seek out only one thing, “Where can I find Jesus?”
Not – where can I go to church?
Not – how can I be more religious?
But – where can I find the risen Lord Jesus? And when we do find him, the Resurrection will become personal because his life will become our life.
The Resurrection is the most profound miracle in all history. But it is of no value until we say with Mary, “Where can I find Jesus? I will not rest until I see Jesus.” Then the Resurrection becomes personal and the eternal gift of the Resurrection becomes personal.
But in order for that to happen, your faith in Jesus must become personal and real, and then one day your personal faith in Jesus will allow you to shed this mortal body and this mortal life and be resurrected just like Jesus was in a real, new, glorified, eternal body to spend eternity in glory – with Jesus – PERSONALLY.