The Risen Christ Appears to Mary Magdalene

Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!”

John 20:11-16 (NIV)

Lord Christ, today the cherry trees along Pine Street and the weeping cherry in my back yard are in flower. The sassafras, redbud, and dogwood trees are ready to burst forth in bloom. Today I saw the first butterfly of the season fluttering over bright pansies and an early bumblebee searching for nectar. Bluebirds, chickadees, and Carolina wrens are nesting. Cardinals, mockingbirds, and robins are pairing with their mates. Lenten rose and daffodils nod in the breeze. I am not at all surprised that Mary thought you were the gardener. You certainly qualify.

When this faithful disciple Mary recognized you she called you teacher. She might also have called you healer. You cast seven demons from her before she became a follower. From firsthand experience she knew you as healer and teacher.

But now Mary and all believers know you as Lord and Savior. Through your death and your resurrection you broke the vicious cycle of sin and death. You are the Risen Christ. Along with Mary and many others,  I kneel to worship you.

Amen