Through Tears to Joy— A Resurrection Encounter

Who are you looking for this Easter? Is Jesus at a distance? Are you crying out for him in your pain and tears?

John 20:11-18

As we reflect on the Easter story this year, tears are part of the pages.

Many things have brought me to tears over the years. Sometimes they have been tears of happiness—the birth of our three children. Sometimes they have been tears of despair—” how long Lord?” or “why Lord?” as I have wrestled with ministry situations, family crisis, health issues and leadership demands. But most profound are the tears that have accompanied loss and grief. The loss of my dad in 2008 was deep.

As we reflect on the Easter story this year, tears are part of the pages. The tears of Jesus as he enters Jerusalem in triumph on Palm Sunday. His tears again at Gethsemane as he pleads with his Father for another way. And the tears of Mary Magdalene when she encounters the stone rolled away and an empty tomb.

We don’t know much about Mary—she cared and provided for Jesus along with other women. She had seven demons cast out of her. She was there watching Jesus upon the cross. Although only brief mentions, the love she had for Jesus is very evident. And now, in the early darkness of Sunday morning, she comes with spices to care for Jesus’ lifeless body and finds it gone. Her grief was compounded with what she thinks is the desecration of his tomb. Her last act of love was denied because she could not wash and cover him with spices and perfume fitting for her Lord.

As the tears fall, angels appear and ask, “Why are you crying?” Mary responds asking where is Jesus? Then a man approaches her and asks, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Mary still doesn’t know who is speaking to her until he calls her name “Mary”. She looks to see the resurrected Lord, her Lord.

Who are you looking for this Easter? Is Jesus at a distance? Are you crying out for him in your pain and tears? As with Mary, Jesus also comes to you and calls you by name. I encourage you to turn and trust him as your Lord.

God bless.

Pastor Stephen