| New Comfort for the Grieving |
New Comfort for the Grieving
Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to Him, "Rabboni!"
(which is to say, Teacher).
— John 20:16
Mary Magdalene was one of the most devoted followers that Jesus ever
had. Luke's Gospel tells us that she and others ministered to Him out of
"their substance," which simply means that she financially supported
Him. She traveled with Him. She wanted to be near Him. She wanted to
hear Him. She had the courage to stand at the foot of the cross when
most of the disciples were in hiding. Imagine how her heart broke at His
crucifixion.
She was the last at the cross, and early Sunday morning, she was the
first at the tomb. She was not there to see a risen Lord, but to anoint His
dead body. But she was in for a great surprise, because Jesus came to
her in the midst of her sorrow.
And Jesus comes in the same way to the grieving person today. Maybe
you feel desperate in your own grief. Maybe it is over a death. Maybe it
is the breakup of a marriage. Maybe you have a child who has gone
astray spiritually. But you are grieving.
The good news is that things can change. Things may look absolutely
bleak today, but that husband or wife may return. That prodigal child
may come back to God. And as a believer, you will again see that
Christian loved one who has died. No matter what your circumstances,
Jesus will be there with you. Maybe He will resolve your problems
immediately. Or maybe your problems will continue. But you never will
be alone.
That is the message of the resurrected Lord to us. He knows what we
are going through. He understands. And He cares.
Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to Him, "Rabboni!"
(which is to say, Teacher).
— John 20:16
Mary Magdalene was one of the most devoted followers that Jesus ever
had. Luke's Gospel tells us that she and others ministered to Him out of
"their substance," which simply means that she financially supported
Him. She traveled with Him. She wanted to be near Him. She wanted to
hear Him. She had the courage to stand at the foot of the cross when
most of the disciples were in hiding. Imagine how her heart broke at His
crucifixion.
She was the last at the cross, and early Sunday morning, she was the
first at the tomb. She was not there to see a risen Lord, but to anoint His
dead body. But she was in for a great surprise, because Jesus came to
her in the midst of her sorrow.
And Jesus comes in the same way to the grieving person today. Maybe
you feel desperate in your own grief. Maybe it is over a death. Maybe it
is the breakup of a marriage. Maybe you have a child who has gone
astray spiritually. But you are grieving.
The good news is that things can change. Things may look absolutely
bleak today, but that husband or wife may return. That prodigal child
may come back to God. And as a believer, you will again see that
Christian loved one who has died. No matter what your circumstances,
Jesus will be there with you. Maybe He will resolve your problems
immediately. Or maybe your problems will continue. But you never will
be alone.
That is the message of the resurrected Lord to us. He knows what we
are going through. He understands. And He cares.
| C4W Devotions are used by permission from Harvest Ministries with Greg Laurie P.O. Box 4000 Riverside , CA 92514 |