He is Risen

John 20:11-18

11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” 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.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.

Notes

After seeing the empty tomb, Peter and the unnamed disciple went home, perhaps with mixed emotions. The writer testified that the unnamed disciple believed. However, that is not the end of the narrative. Mary Magdalene would remain in the tomb, grieving and confused. She showed pure devotion to serving her Lord, even in His death. However, she did not know God's plan to raise His Son from the dead. She would continue grieving and talking, but she would receive a comforting surprise.

1. Weeping Mary

   Grieving and confused, Mary Magdalene stayed near the tomb. She would take a look inside, perhaps to try to understand why the body disappeared. She would see two angels. They would ask her why she was weeping; she would give her honest response.

   
   11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” (John 20:11-13).
   

   Application: Mary’s devotion was evident, although she misunderstood God’s plan. Sometimes, we will not completely understand God’s will and ways. We must remain true to our devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ. Our commitment to follow His word must remain steadfast.
   

2. Rabboni

   The Risen King appeared before Mary, but she failed to recognize Him, probably due to her grief. Jesus asked why she was weeping. She thought He was the gardener and asked if He took the body. When the Lord called her name, she recognized Him and said, “Rabboni.”
   
   14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” 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.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher) (John 20:14-16).

   Application: Sometimes, our grief causes us to fail to sense His presence. Our preconceived ideas can affect our spiritual senses and prevent us from seeing His will as revealed in the Holy Scriptures. Therefore, let us remain focused on God’s word and trust that His presence is with us.

3. Tell Them

   Mary held on to her teacher and would not let go. Thus, He told her to stop clinging, not that she could stop the ascension, but that there was something that she should do, which was to tell His brothers. She was instructed to tell the disciples what she witnessed.

   
   17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her (John 20:17-18).

   Application: It was the first testimonial evidence, now documentary evidence, of a witness who saw the resurrected Lord. The documentary evidence is from the Holy Scriptures and the Old and New Testament collections. The Old testifies about Christ in the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms. The NT testifies of His life, ministry, death, and resurrection, explaining its significance and the mission to spread the gospel. We believe in Christ; we believe in the Bible. We will tell others about Him and what He has done.

Reflection & Discussion

1. What did Mary Magdalene see in the tomb? Why was she weeping?

2. What did she do when she realized the Lord was speaking to her?

3. What did Christ tell Mary? What can we learn and apply?