20:1 On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him." 3 Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. 4 So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. 5 And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. 9 For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.
11 But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 Then they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." 14 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" She, supposing Him to be the gardener, 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, "Rabboni!" (which is to say, Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to 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 to her. NKJV
I am always in awe when I read this passage. Mary, still consumed with grief, does not see what is before her. Now ..........at this moment she is talking with angels. No doubt she had something to speak. She had a wondering heart of where her Lord might be. And seeing this man in the garden, she asks a question. "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Now she presumed He was the gardener.
BUT Jesus spoke "Mary!" "Rabboni!" (which is to say Teacher). "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, "I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God."
Yes, she does not see Him, but did see that which was the ordinary, a tomb that was opened and two angels. In those days, it was written that people frequently saw and talked with angels. In this day and time, I believe such would frighten many people out of their very being.
Could you imagine the amount of Facebook time or tweets on angels being sighted and heard speaking to regular everyday people?
And she did not recognize Jesus. Grief is something that people have to deal with when loving other people. They can go through it and never realize what or how powerful grief really is till it takes them down bodily.
Grief is a terrible thing. This Mary was wanting to secure her Lord, and yet here He stood in her midst. I wonder how many suffer through a "grief" and never really see Jesus in their midst. In that time before daylight and darkness tries to hold a little longer, but light will always come.
God ordained it!
Walking with Jesus and hearing Him speak of life and then to have Him taken so violently and beaten so brutally, captures a heart into that place that one will shrink in fear! But this Mary wanted to secure her Jesus, her Lord. And she wanted to know where He was taken!
Ecclesiastes 3:1-12
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
9 What does the worker gain from his toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. NIV
Walking with Jesus and hearing Him speak of life and then to have Him taken so violently and beaten so brutally, captures a heart into that place that one will shrink in fear! But this Mary wanted to secure her Jesus, her Lord. And she wanted to know where He was taken!
Ecclesiastes 3:1-12
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
9 What does the worker gain from his toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. NIV
There a time for everything and we know not what lays before us, but with God we can make it through. Yes grief can come, but we must come to the realization that Jesus was sent for us..........and that through Him, we can find peace in any situation or circumstance. Many times we must be stilled from the flesh creature, call our emotions into line with God's Word, and know that He is God. We must quiet those outside voices and stay within His boundaries to know Him fervently.
In the scheme of this life and adventures, many take a path which is too widely taken for that which is of grief in consuming drugs, alcohol and even taking of their own lives. As adults, we should be willing to take those extra steps to bringing a legacy of life to our children, grand-children and to those children around us who have NO leadership within their homes. We should be willing to tell them about Jesus, the Lord and Savior. For truly something is coming down each person's pathway, but how it is handled will determine where we spend eternity. And the other thing to remember is to being obedient to something God speaks.
Today is the day of salvation.
Salvation is through only one and His name is Jesus.
Acts 4:8-12
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 He is "'the stone you builders rejected,
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." NIV
Salvation is found in NO ONE ELSE.........WHATEVER NAME THAT IS NAMED IS STILL BELOW THE NAME OF JESUS!
Philippians 2:5-11
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bond-servant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. NKJV
Salvation is found in NO ONE ELSE.........WHATEVER NAME THAT IS NAMED IS STILL BELOW THE NAME OF JESUS!
Philippians 2:5-11
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bond-servant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. NKJV
I wonder how many will be so mad when they find they put their faith in just a man and not Jesus Christ the Lord of glory?
1 John 1:8-2:1
8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
NIV
Trying to figure out our own way is nothing but noise and chaos. But adhering to Jesus, we find that which is a life everlasting. May we truly be bold to remind others that there is a heaven to gain and a hell to avoid! Today is the day to confess sins, those which can keep us from hearing the God of truth. And we know from 1 John that He is faithful and He is the just and will forgive us our sins ..........purify us from all unrighteousness.
Mary experienced something "new". She saw Him walking and talking with her. He still lives to rule and reign in our hearts. Today you may know someone who is far from Jesus. You may know them walking on that wide road of destruction and death, and when you pray (not "if you will pray") but when you pray for them remind them that God has a purpose for their lives, and that they are to live for Him. Remind them that there is still time for them to confess Jesus as Lord. And then confess that they truly have a walk, a close walk to know Him intimately.
Yes, grief can paralyze some people. It can bring someone so low that they cannot hear truth. When we are dealing with a loved one who is close to death, remind the Father what He planned and thank Him that you (we) will hear the report of good for that family member. Send laborers across their path if you cannot do it. Send those angels who will guard those heirs of salvation and give thanks to the Father Who hears because of the Blood of Jesus shed for us at Calvary.
We are coming upon that time of year again to be reminded of not only His shed blood, His love that gave, but we are also reminded of those who are still without Him. Their final destination if they have do not Jesus is hell. God does not cause sickness, He does not kill anyone. But satan surely does and will use any device he cannot to shut a person's mouth and to keep them from confessing Jesus as Lord.
Let's pray for those who still stumble in the dark, and may they stumble into the presence of God in you (and me). May they hear the Words of Salvation in Jesus Christ and may they be turned toward the Light of Life of which there is no variation of turning.
James 1:12-18
12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. NKJV
Mary experienced something "new". She saw Him walking and talking with her. He still lives to rule and reign in our hearts. Today you may know someone who is far from Jesus. You may know them walking on that wide road of destruction and death, and when you pray (not "if you will pray") but when you pray for them remind them that God has a purpose for their lives, and that they are to live for Him. Remind them that there is still time for them to confess Jesus as Lord. And then confess that they truly have a walk, a close walk to know Him intimately.
Yes, grief can paralyze some people. It can bring someone so low that they cannot hear truth. When we are dealing with a loved one who is close to death, remind the Father what He planned and thank Him that you (we) will hear the report of good for that family member. Send laborers across their path if you cannot do it. Send those angels who will guard those heirs of salvation and give thanks to the Father Who hears because of the Blood of Jesus shed for us at Calvary.
We are coming upon that time of year again to be reminded of not only His shed blood, His love that gave, but we are also reminded of those who are still without Him. Their final destination if they have do not Jesus is hell. God does not cause sickness, He does not kill anyone. But satan surely does and will use any device he cannot to shut a person's mouth and to keep them from confessing Jesus as Lord.
Let's pray for those who still stumble in the dark, and may they stumble into the presence of God in you (and me). May they hear the Words of Salvation in Jesus Christ and may they be turned toward the Light of Life of which there is no variation of turning.
James 1:12-18
12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. NKJV
Father, we pray for those who stumble because they disobey the message of which they were destined for.( 1 Peter 2:8-17)
We have been called out of darkness and into that marvelous light. We pray as the people of God for those who have not come into Your family. We pray for those who are far from God and live in sinful desires that will cause ultimate death to them. Today we pray that anyone who comes across our path, may we be the willing to call them into Light. May we glorify God.
For the mercy we have received, we walk in the Light of Jesus Christ.
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (2 Corinthians 4:4-6) For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as servants for His sake. For God who said, "let light shine out of darkness," made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (verse 6)
We have been called out of darkness and into that marvelous light. We pray as the people of God for those who have not come into Your family. We pray for those who are far from God and live in sinful desires that will cause ultimate death to them. Today we pray that anyone who comes across our path, may we be the willing to call them into Light. May we glorify God.
For the mercy we have received, we walk in the Light of Jesus Christ.
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (2 Corinthians 4:4-6) For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as servants for His sake. For God who said, "let light shine out of darkness," made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (verse 6)
Father, in Jesus' name , may they see You when we speak with them, and may they hear You speak their name.
Father, You do not cause death and destruction, You give life everlasting. You have put eternity into our hearts. May we speak with a boldness to give clear meaning to receiving Jesus as Lord. May they not turn away but heed the warnings that they are on that road of destruction. We truly set ourselves to speak when You lead us by Your Holy Spirit and we will pray like You tells us to pray. We look forward to our future with You, but till that time we are set like flint to keep watch and pray for those who are headed to an everlasting destruction. Oh merciful Father, thank You for Jesus and we give thanks for His shed blood for all man-kind that we would spend our eternity with You. May we rise and speak while it is still light. To God be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
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