After the Resurrection Part 2

In the previous blog dated April 9th, we talked about how the believers reacted after the crucifixion battle was won. Many of them were filled with fear as they were being chased; they also felt guilt over their involvement in the court hearings. As God announced the winner of the spiritual battle was His only Son Jesus, Mary Magdalene only thought of her Christ.

I had planned to talk about her first as I thought about the JOY of Easter. Yet as I studied her JOY I began to compare my faith with hers. My choice was to stop studying; even questioning if writing this blog was a good idea. How can I, whose relationship is not as close to Christ, explain JOY to anyone? God used this to loudly speak to me. First, don't compare myself to another believer. Second, the reason to set up the blog is for all of us to hike towards “Being Restored to JOY.” I am not there yet. All we can do is learn from Scripture, prayer, and the Holy Spirit to learn what JOY really is.

Now let's look at Mary and only Mary! Several disciples in the Gospels wrote down what they experienced after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, they all saw Mary Magdalene at the crucifixion. John describes the scene in John 19:25-30:

“Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, "Woman, here is your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Here is your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), "I am thirsty." A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the wine, he said, "It is finished." Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:25-30 NIV)

People who attend crucifixions at that time, as per Roman tradition, came to mock the criminal. Part of the punishment was public embarrassment. Many threw stones, spitting, cursing; not standing next to the criminal. Yet standing near her Lord was what Mary was doing. While the other believers had guilt after the resurrection because they were not at the cross for their Lord, Mary stood.

The day after the Sabbath, Mary rose early to gather spices for properly preparing the body of her friend. (Matthew 27:55-28:1 NIV) Can you see her dedication? When she realizes the stone has been moved, she runs to look for her Lord. I have been trying to picture her at that moment. Her eyes focused forward; belongings dropped to her feet; people around her in the shadows; clothes flapping against as her sandals pounding down on the dusty path. Yes, she had fear that Jesus' body had been taken; although, He had promised resurrection. During her run, feelings of JOY that the promise Christ had risen could be true fought in her mind with fear that his body was really stolen. As I read this, I thought of the word ambivalence. The definition of ambivalence is: the state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone. Have you ever experienced ambivalence?

John continues to talk about Mary Magdalene’s dedication in John 19:11-18. Once the disciples confirmed Jesus' body was not in the tomb, they again ran and hid in fear. Mary stood.

“...she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni!" (which means Teacher)” (John 19:14-15 NIV) 

He knew her voice and she knew His voice. What thoughts do you have reading the Gospels about Mary? The Holy Spirit revealed several teachings through this study. Her life was changed in a miraculous way by trusting in the unseen. Jesus first meets Mary along his travels.

“After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.” (Luke 8:1 NIV)

Through trusting the unseen, the control of seven demons were cast into the sea of eternal fire. Their friendship was built over time as Mary focused on learning more about Christ. The last sentence interests me. At first I thought that it meant that the women were unable to provide for themselves prior to being healed and when Jesus healed themselves they were able to work. After further studying, I uncovered that they were able to support themselves while traveling. This meant that they were able to travel along with Christ. Luke reports that all that traveled Jesus pooled their money to pay for expenses. He makes it clear that these women contributed to the Lord's ministry. Mary was devoted to her friend no matter the cost.

Did you see that at the crucifixion and at the grave Mary stood? If someone challenged your beliefs, do you waiver? I do. Why? I don't trust that I know God's word enough to stand. What if I'm asked a question I can't answer? Mary knew that she knew. Why? She was dedicated and unwavering to studying everything about her Lord.

At the tomb, she ran to find her friend. Three points struck out to me:

• Mary was focused FORWARD. She did not look to the past. Would Jesus remember that she had once been a prostitute? Did he see her as a woman trapped, hopeless, lost, or sick? Mary was focused only on HOPE and of the FUTURE. John Maxwell spoke this truth, “Where there is no hope in the future, there is no power in the present.” (John Maxwell on Leadership) I want to encourage all of us to create a vision board.
  • Spend time in prayer today, speaking Jesus name,
  • Ask for God what your hopes have been.
  • Take time to listen.
  • Do the words you hear line up with the truth of Scripture?
  • Use what you hear to create what you feel.
  • It does not have to look like anything you “think” it has to be. This is for you.

• She dropped her belongings. All the spices gathered were scattered to the ground. The time spent trying to locate them the day after the Sabbath was difficult. It is reported that vendors did not open their shops this early especially the first day of the week. Purchasing approximately 75 pounds of spices to embalm a body would require funds I can not even imagine. At first this did not seem to be a problem for me. You see I grew up as a missionary kid (MK). My family lived in a home that was not ours. The “belongings” that truly were ours could probably fit in a small U-Haul despite us being a family of 13. We relied on the gifts of others. My father's profession was to preach the gospel as a church planter. To this day, I do not consider my belongings as mine. They are things. However, viewing money as a belonging stops me immediately. The lack of having money is a stronghold. Can you understand? The TRUTH The Bible is full of promises that God will provide. At quick glance, the Bible is full of promises that God is the Great Provider; I found seven verses (Genesis 3:21; Genesis 9:3; Exodus 14:22; Job 38:41; Psalms 34:10; Matthew 6:31-32; Luke 12:24 NIV) He will take care of our needs. We need to drop our belongings, dreams, and control.
• The disciples all agree that Mary left her friends behind to run towards the tomb. Relationships were placed into the shadows. How many of us, when we are troubled, pick up the phone to talk to a friend for advice? I remember hearing once that the phone number we need to call is 1-CALL-JESUS. This also hits home for me regarding Facebook. Why is it important to know what is going on with my friends and family at all times? My friend Kimberly shared a stronghold that she needed accountability in this area but from a different perspective. She often looked to her husband to fill needs that only God could fill. He is a godly man but he is not God. Although I do not agree totally with the Sunday School acronym (JOY) Jesus – Others – You, Jesus definitely comes first.

Mary Magdalene was referenced as the apostle of the apostles. She stood next to Christ as He ascended to Heaven at the transfiguration. She experienced true JOY through her healing, close friendship with Christ, service to His ministry, faith in the unseen, and hope for the FUTURE. How are you experiencing JOY today?

1. Have you ever experienced ambivalence? When and Why?
2. What thoughts do you have reading the Gospels about Mary?
3. If someone challenged your beliefs, do you waiver? Why?
4. Create a vision board: Spend time in prayer today, speaking Jesus name, asking for God what your hopes have been. Take time to listen. Do the words you hear line up with the truth of Scripture? Use what you hear to create what you feel. It does not have to look like anything you “think” it has to be. This is for you. What did you learn?
5. How are you experiencing JOY today?