Station #9 of the Resurrection Story

Station #9 ….. Jesus Talks First with Mary Magdalene

“They took my Master,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” After she said this, she turned away and saw Jesus standing there. But she didn’t recognize him. Jesus spoke to her, “Woman, why do you weep? Who are you looking for?” She, thinking that he was the gardener, said, “Mister, if you took him, tell me where you put him so I can care for him.” Jesus said, “Mary.” Turning to face him, she said in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” meaning “Teacher!” Jesus said, “Don’t cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I ascend to my Father and your Father, my God and your God.'” Mary Magdalene went, telling the news to the disciples: “I saw the Master!” and she told them everything he said to her. (John 20:13-18). When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that Jesus was alive, and she had seen him, they did not believe it. (Mark 16:9)

Worth A Thousand Words: Jesus the Gardener with Mary, Rembrandt

A Reflection:

Did Jesus do this right? If I was him, and I just danced out of the tomb, I would have made a beeline to Pilate’s quarters, and jeered, “You want to know what the truth is? You’re looking at him, baby! What do you think now?” Or maybe I’d have marched into the Sanhedrin, dramatic entrance for sure, and set the record straight, maybe even gloat to make sure they get it right this time. Actually, why not just float over to Rome, stroll into Caesar’s palace to talk a little smack and ask him, “Will the real Son of God please stand up?” No, I think I might have walked into the Temple courts and carefully explained about that torn curtain thing. But on the other hand, I couldn’t pass on the chance to zap a little payback to all those Roman guards who gleefully beat me to death. No, I’m better than that. I would have immediately embarked on a world tour, barnstorming my way to all the major population centers around the globe, revealing my true risen self, personally becoming the Next Big Thing. Yes indeed, that would have been fun.

But no, Jesus didn’t do any of that. Humble to the end, or was it the beginning. No need for self-defense, still silent before his tormentors. He simply sought out his friends, encouraged them, cooked a little breakfast, and spoke words of peace and love. Jesus was surprisingly chill after he conquered death, starting with Mary Magdalene. She thought he was the gardener, which is perfect, isn’t it? Brings back way-back memories of walking in the garden in the cool of the day, intimate companionship, the way it’s meant to be. And she tenderly calls him “my dear teacher!” So here’s the Lord of the Universe, right after the final buzzer in his greatest victory, speaking first to a marginalized outsider once filled with seven demons… Mary, the insider. The last shall be first. Sweet.  (Steve Larson)

Resurrection, Present Tense:

Immense in mercy and with an incredible love, God embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us! Then he picked us up and set us down in highest heaven in company with Jesus, our Messiah. (Ephesians 2:5-6)