In Your Weeping, Listen For His Voice

What a sweet week we just walked through. We Journeyed with Jesus to the Cross, read out loud the story of Jesus’ crucifixion at our Good Friday service, and ended a rich holy week with the touching story of Mary Magdalene at the Tomb of her Deliverer, Jesus.

Watch our Easter Sermon, “Resurrection” from our I Speak Jesus series

Mary was going there to mourn. To say goodbye. To release the shreds of her hope to God.

She’d had been through so much, watching Jesus die, tending to His body, weeping for Him.

So when she saw the two angels at the tomb, one at His head and one at His feet, she could scarcely comprehend the moment she lived in…

Then she heard His voice. What did our risen Jesus say?

“Why are you weeping?” and “Who are you looking for?”

Such tender questions.

Jesus knew Mary. She’d followed Him for years alongside the disciples. He knew her tears. He knew her heart. He knew she was weeping for Him.

And still, Jesus doesn’t skirt around that intimate conversation.

Even at His moment of resurrection. As He gets to share the world-changing news of new life. He stays with Mary’s heart. He is so kind.

In her weeping Mary cannot grasp who is speaking, and she attempts to gather herself and piece together an answer. And in the middle of her grief, Jesus reveals His personal knowledge of her.

“Mary!” says the voice of Jesus.

And her heart jumps. That’s Jesus’ voice. That’s His voice. My Jesus. My Deliverer. He’s alive?

And, a resurrection now rises in Mary.

She’s the first among many. That same resurrection is rising in us, too. As we place our faith in Jesus, listen for His voice…

As we come to Him with our weeping and allow Him to unveil heaven inside the tombs we face, we can step into an eternal reality—and receive a gift of mercy and grace—a personal relationship with Jesus, just as intimate as Mary’s.

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

Continue with us on Sundays, as we ponder the powerful moments and days with Jesus after His resurrection.

This Sunday we’ll study that moment immediately after Mary discovers Jesus is alive, when He first appears to all the disciples and breathes on them His Holy Spirit.

Expectant,

Pastor Dave