Do You Recognize Jesus?

Monday, July 20th, 2016

4:44 am

Good morning! Today I am in Matthew 28:9-10, Mark 16:9-11, Luke 24:12, and John 20:3-18. When the women told the disciples about what the angels had said, the disciples didn't believe them, so Peter and John ran to go see for themselves. John got there first and when he saw the linen wrappings laying there, he didn't go in. When Peter got there he went in and saw the linen wrapping laying there and the head cloth was folded up and laying apart from the other. When John went in and saw this, he believed. Until then they still hadn't understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must raise from the dead. They went home. The gospel of John tells us that Mary Magdalene remained there at the tomb weeping. When she stopped to look in the tomb, she saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of where Jesus had been laying. They asked her why she was crying. She told them because someone had taken Jesus' body away and she didn't know where they put Him. When she turned to leave, she saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn't recognize Him. He asked her why she was crying and who she was looking for. She thought He was the gardener. She asked Him if He had taken Jesus away and if so where He took Him so she could go get Him. Jesus said, "Mary!" Immediately she recognized Him. She turned to Him and cried out, "Rabboni (Teacher)!" Jesus told her not to cling to Him because He had not yet ascended to the Father. He told her to go and find His brothers and tell them that He is ascending to His Father and their Father, to His God and their God. So Mary left and found the disciples again. She told them that she had seen Him and she gave them His message.

The disciples did not believe what the women had told them, so they went to see for their selves. When Mary had went back to the tomb with the disciples, she was mourning the loss of Jesus. She was grieving so deeply that she did not recognize Jesus when He appeared to her. Many times when we are struggling, with whatever situation we are dealing with, we lose sight of God in our midst. We may feel like God has abandoned us or that He doesn't hear us or see us, but that is a lie of the enemy. Like Mary, we may feel stuck in that moment, unsure of how to go on. But, just like Jesus was right there and calling Mary, He is also there for us in the midst of our grief and sorrow. He is calling us to come back to Him so He can take care of us. We may not recognize Him, but He is right there.

No matter what you are going through today, know that God is right there for you as well. Just like He called Mary in the midst of her grief, He is calling you. When you feel like you don't have the strength to go on, turn to God. Seek Him. Talk to Him through prayer. He hears you and He knows exactly what you are going through. And He can help you. And like Mary, He will fill you with joy, peace, and comfort. And encourage you and strengthen you to carry on. Allow Him to give you peace today.