Easter Sunrise

John 20:10–18 NKJV

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.

As we gather on this Easter Morning, we remember the others in Scripture who also got up early on this day to care for the body of Jesus. Mary had already told the disciples that Jesus’ body was gone (20:2). Peter and John had already run to the tomb to investigate (20:3-9). Now Mary Magdalene was there alone. The Gospels of Mark (16:9) and Luke (8:2) tell us that this Mary had been healed of several evil spirits and was a follower of Jesus ever since. It made sense that she was there. What did not make sense, at least to her, was why anyone would steal Jesus’ body. Jesus of course had not been stolen away or anything of the sort.

He had risen from the dead just as He said He would and just as the Scriptures foretold. What catches my eye in this passage, at least for this morning, is Jesus’ statement to Mary Magdalene after she realizes who He is.

ONCE HE SPEAKS CALLS HER NAME- HAS HE CALLED YOURS?

She calls Him “Lord.” She calls Him “Rabboni.” She then, if we were able to observe her actions, runs to Jesus and holds on to Him.

She has found her Lord and she is holding on tight to Him. She wasn’t just touching Him; she was clinging fast to Him. Jesus then says something unexpected.

He says, “Do not hold on to me for I have not yet returned to the Father.” Jesus was not saying that she could not touch Him? How do we know that? A few verses later in 20:27 Jesus tells Thomas to touch His hands and His side. So Jesus’ statement was not about Mary physically touching Him. What was it about?

The relationship between Mary Magdalene and Jesus was about to change drastically. The relationship between Jesus and His disciples was about to change drastically. Jesus was not physically staying with them. He would not physically hold their hands. He was ascending back into Heaven for He had accomplished His purpose on Earth.

He had atoned for sin and risen victoriously from the dead. A new kind of relationship was about to begin for Mary, for the disciples, and eventually for all of us. Our relationship with Jesus Christ is not one bound by a physical body.

I see Jesus saying to Mary Magdalene, don’t hold on to Me like this… wait and hold on to Me when I have ascended and have returned to God. Hold on tightly to Me in our new relationship.

How do we do that? 2,000 years later… how do we hold on tightly to the Risen Savior? I must admit that holding tightly to Jesus is no easy task.

We have so many distractions.

We have so many temptations.

We have so many other things that we like to hold on to more tightly than Jesus.

I. We must hold on to Him daily through His Word.

By staying constantly in the Bible, we will be able to recognize Jesus’ presence in our lives and we will not mistake Him for the gardener. A daily practice of Bible reading and reflection is an important part of holding on tightly to Jesus.

II. We must hold on to Him daily through prayer.

I know of no other way to spiritually grasp onto Jesus and bow at His feet than to cultivate the habit of prayer. And make no mistake, it is a habit. We get out of the habit of talking to our friends and pretty soon the relationship is lost. It is the same with our relationships with Jesus… we must talk with Him to remain close to Him. A daily habit of prayer is an important part of holding fast to Jesus.

III. We must hold on to Him by living out our faith.

Mary was there at the tomb because of her devotion to Jesus. Peter and John ran to the tomb because of their love for Jesus. The disciples had all been taught that being a follower of Jesus was an entire way of living and they would soon begin to live that out. Holding tight to Jesus means we live out our faith day to day … in our words seasoned with salt and actions that do not make Jesus ashamed … by refusing temptation when it comes our way … by openly sharing our faith with family, friends, and strangers … by serving, and using our gifts to serve God … by forgiving when the person is unforgivable and extending grace to those who have none.

Are you holding onto Him today? He is alive! He is risen!

Has He called your name and have you answered?

Is He what you cherish, love and cling too most?

If not let today be a reminder of His sacrifice OF ALL for you! Can you not sacrifice for Him?

If you love Me you will keep my commandments!

DO YOU TRULY LOVE HIM?