He Is Not Here, For He is Risen!

This July has been an unusual month for me. My family had a wonderful reunion over the Fourth of July weekend, surrounded by the people I hold most dear.  Unfortunately, not everyone was able to attend.  My dear sister and her family had other commitments and my loving brother is no longer with us. His children were there. Grown, with children of their own. They represented him well with their joy for life and sense of humor.  Two days later was the 21st anniversary of  his death and another six days brought his birthday.  

The reunion seemed to bring a deeper sorrow at losing him. Seeing his grandchildren the age of his children when they lost their father, watching his characteristics appear on their faces and come out their mouths... I miss him even greater.  It is as if I just heard the words, "your brother has been killed in an accident..."  He was my only brother, so there was no question as to who my father meant.  

While reading the lesson for Sunday School last week, "He is not here, for he is Risen!", I ached for the women who went to wrap Christ's body is spices and found He was not there. Few things parallel the loss of a loved one.  How they must have felt, the fear, uncertainty, and despair coupled with their sorrow! Such overwhelming emotions could hardly be contained. But even in sorrow, Mary found peace and teaches me how I can find peace if I will just open my eyes and listen for Christ's voice as she did.

John 20 tells us that Mary found the tomb empty, the stone rolled away and ran to tell the disciples. They ran to the sepulcher and believed her words, yet did not understand that Christ would rise from the dead and each returned home ~

11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,

12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.

14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

His love for her was so great that he spoke to her, questioned her weeping, and desired to ease her pain.

Her love for him was so great that she recognized the way he spoke her name.

I believe his love for each of us is as strong.  

He desires to ease our pain and sorrow, increase our joy and peace.

We must in turn love him enough to recognize his call. If we continue reading we will find out what we are to do when he calls us...

17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

Christ testified to Mary that he was going to his Father and God, who is her Father and God, and is our Father and God.  Then Mary did what Christ would have each of us do...she spread the word.  

"He is not here, for He is Risen!"