Jesus appears to Mary

Mary weeping

We see here in this passage again the love that Mary possessed for Christ.

It would seem that Marys grief of Jesus’ death had drove Mary to his tomb. She must not have came across Peter and John and didn’t know anything of the resurrection.

Looking in she saw two angels one sitting at head and one at feet. Some say this is symbolic of the ark of the covenant with two cheribums setting on both ends facing each other.

Why are you weeping? They knew why she was crying . It was because the body was gone. The question is to insinuate that she shouldn’t be crying but rather be joyful because He had risen.

Marys problem was the same as Peter and John. She didn’t understand. Her lack of understanding of Christs teachings and His words over the last three years was the ultimate reason she was weeping.

How often we mourn over the absence of things which in reality are within our grasp, and even at our right hand! Two-thirds of the things we fear in life never happen at all, and two-thirds of the tears we shed are thrown away, and shed in vain. Let us pray for more faith and patience, and allow more time for the development of God’s purposes: let us believe that things are often working together for our peace and joy, which seem at one time to contain nothing but bitterness and sorrow

Had she only held fast to His word and had faith, she would have came to the empty tomb and rejoiced when she looked in.

verse 15 who are you seeking. As to say why are you seeking He who said he would rise again. This woman who had seen the miracles, been a partaker of the miracles in the fact she had seven demons cast out demonstrated great love for Christ but had such little faith.

He called her by name

At first Mary mistaken Him for the gardener when Christ approached and addressed her as woman. It was when He called her by her name that she immediately knew who it was.

Christ told them in John 10:14 “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,”

Isaiah 43:1–4 “But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.

Mary recognized her shepherd and immediately called Him Rabonni

Do not cling to Me

Out of excitement Mary threw herself on Christ and clung to Him. She thought she had lost Christ for good, that not only had He died but that she also lost his body and couldn’t come to visit His grave.

He quickly corrects her to not do that. Why ? His answer has confused some. I have not yet ascended to my father . As brought out last week, we preach Christs death but may fail to mention his resurrection, but as equally important we never mention the ascension.

Mary holds on to Him thinking Hes back with us, that things can go back to the way they were, Christ could continue teaching, healing , feeding, etc. Christ says do not cling to this physical body

He has to ascend

This is just one part of the God ordained plan . Christ tells her theres more to do. He has to ascend to His Father. He insinuates that His time with them would only be temporary. Though she wanted Him to stay, He could not. He’d be there forty more days and then would ascend.

Why was He so much emphasis on Him ascending? He must go so that He could send the helper. The coming of the Holy Spirit would bring on a whole different and better fellowship. Christ told us John 16:7 “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.”

Now that He’s sent His Spirit to abide in us we have the power of God living in us, we have the one who will lead us into all truth, who gives us understanding, The Spirit that is our advocate, counselor, comforter, strengthener and sancifier.

Though she or the disciples don’t understand this they soon will.

His intercessor work

He also had ascend to take His place at the right hand of the Father where He also does a mighty work.

Heres why its important that He lives and also ascended. Hebrews 7:25 “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”

The old testament priest made intercession on behalf of the people God. The problem with this priest is he died, they were sinful and mortal . Hebrews points to Christ being the superior priest. why? Because He lives. Because of this Christ is able to save to the uttermost. The greek for uttermost means either completely or always. Either work because Christ is able to save completely and forever.

We have the confidence He will complete his work in us and never abandon us

What is He pleading. Hes pleading Himself. God only accepts you and me because of Christ.

Romans 8:34 “Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.”

Satan is condemning and accusing you just as he did Job before God. He points out all you failures, falls, and sin constantly. Our own consciences accuses us, the world accuses and condemns But Romans ask the question Who is to condemn.

The answer is no one. The answer is Christ died so that God may be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus Christ, all who have faith in Him are not condemned. Christ has payed sins debt.

He has also risen for our justification. Proving that the payment was accepted in full by God and not only risen but also is alive and setting at the right hand of the Father pleading His righteousness for you and me. He is there always and forever answering any accusations, plea for us advocating on our behalf.

Go tell my brethren

He calls them brothers

He commands her to take the good news to them but scripture reveals they didn’t believe her report.