Beyond The Grave

Beyond The Grave

Introduction

The world should have been there with its homage—Caesar should have come from Rome, the wise men of Athens should have been there. Caiaphas and Annas and the Sanhedrin should have been there. People from the far flung Jewish Diaspora should have been there, along with Herod and his men of war. Pilate and his wife should have been there. The disciples should have been there, an eager, welcoming body. The roads to Jerusalem should have been crowded with pilgrims. All Jerusalem should have been arriving with triumphant palms.

However, the only one left at the tomb is Mary. I would like to speak from Mary’s place at the tomb in order to remind us of the deep love we should have for Jesus, the worry and doubt that should never take us over, and how Jesus continually provides grace and mercy to those who come to Him.

1) Mary’s Deep Love

This is one of the most touching moments pose resurrection; Mary could not find a glitch in her love enough to leave the sepulchre.

Her love for her Master would not permit her to leave the tomb.

Love made her honor the place where they laid His body.

Where the body of Jesus was at this point, she could not tell.

Love opened the door to reaping a rich reward!

Great Love For Christ Opens Great Blessing From Christ

She saw the angels that Peter and John never saw. She actually heard them speak.

She was the first to see our RISEN LORD!

She was the first person to hear His comforting voice!

She was the first to hold a conversation with Christ.

Here is a true principal!

Not all believers have the same level of faith, love, knowledge, hope, and courage...

Quote: It is a certain fact that those who love Christ most fervently, and cleave to him most cloesely, will always enjoy most communion with him, and feel most of the witness of the Spirit in their hearts. — J.C. Ryle

We see here the kind of follow of Christ Christ reveals himself most fully.

2) Mary’s Needless Fear & Worry

Notice the state of which Mary was standing there weeping; Weeping as if NOTHING COULD COMFORT HER.

Notice her response to the angels’ question:

The ask Mary a question: “Why weepest thou?”

They prompt her to think about WHO SHE WAS REALLY SEARCHING FOR.

They wanted her to consider if she really had reason to weep.

In other words, “Are you quite sure that this empty tomb doesn’t show how you ought to be rejoicing?”

Mary replied, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.”

What laid on her mind was the disappointment of the Lord’s body.

Put yourself in her sandals:

She thought of her interaction with Christ in His former body.

She made too little of his divinity, and too much of his humanity.

Notice her response to Jesus’ question, “Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou?”

Mary replied, “Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

Her worry and anxiety was elevated while her risen Master was close to her.

QUESTION: Was the emotional state and response of Mary warranted? NO!

Her tears were needless.

Her anxiety was unnecessary.

Illustration: Hagar had a well near her, yet had not the eyes to see it.

Quote: “All was in error: tears of grief,— but false grief, imagining that to be which was not, and him to be dead which was alive. She weeps because she finds the grace empty, which, God forbid she should have found full, for then Christ must have been dead still, and there would be no resurrection.” — Andrews

APPLICATION

How often does this moment in Mary’s life speaks to too many believers experiences today?

How often are you anxious with no real reason?

How often do you mourn over the absence of things that are actually near your grasp?

How many times do you fear certain things that actually never happen to you?

The very absence of Jesus’ body which made her weep was actually a token from God to cause joy within her.

3) Mary’s Focus On The Earthly

Jesus’ response to Mary is too many, kind of mysterious.

Jesus refuses her immediate rush to worship Him.

She behaved as if all was well if Jesus was bodily present and all not well if He is not.

She made more about the humanity that she did about His divinity.

John 6:63 “63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”

2 Corinthians 5:16 “16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.”

Therefore, Jesus dismisses her to go and tell the others what she was told.

Religion tries to bring Jesus’ body down into the sacraments and the world tries to bring Christ into the framework of their own pleasures.

4) Jesus Provides A Gracious Response

It was but three days before that they had all forsaken him shamefully.

Yet, Jesus speaks here as if all was forgiven and forgotten.

Jesus’ first response was to bring back the wanderer, bind up the wounds of their conscience, and to bring them back to where their faith used to be.

Psalm 103:13-14 “13 Like as a father pitieth his children, So the Lord pitieth them that fear him. 14 For he knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.”

LISTEN, Jesus never changes!!!

As he dealt with the erroring disciples, He will deal with all those who will believe and love Him.

If we wonder, Jesus brings us back.

When we fall, Jesus picks us back up.

Jesus will always be true to His word — John 6:37 “37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

Conclusion

You might ask, “How does a person come to Christ?”

The enablement of coming to Jesus is:

First — God’s Spirit makes known to you your need of Jesus.

Second — You must turn away from your own strength and way to Heaven.

Third — You must come to Jesus empty handed. Depending on Him alone as your eternal salvation.