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Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene and the Disciples

11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb, 12 and she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other 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 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 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.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not touch me, because 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 she told them that he had said these things to her. 19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

Mary Magdalene stood outside the tomb weeping, certain that all hope had been taken from her. She didn’t even recognize Jesus, when he stood right in front of her! Grief indeed shows up that way. Yet everything changed when Jesus simply spoke her name: “Mary.” In that instant she knew. The risen Lord was not distant or lost. Jesus was alive, present, and calling her personally. It is a beautiful reminder that the Good Shepherd still knows His sheep by name and meets us even in our deepest sorrow … I repeat, “even in our deepest sorrow”.

Later that same day, the disciples had a similar experience until he spoke, “Peace be with you.” The resurrection did not just defeat death … it restored fearful hearts. Our Lord, who called Mary by name, also brings His peace into rooms filled with worry and doubt.

Dear Lord, thank you for coming near to us, calling our names, as we stand weeping like Mary or sitting behind locked doors like the disciples. Thank you for reminding us that You are alive and fill us with Your peace. Help us to be like Mary, sent to share the good news with others: “I have seen the Lord.” Amen

Deborah Schroeder-Saulnier

deborah@excelleadershipsolutions.com

 

Prayer Concern: For all to know that He Lives!