SCRIPTURE: John (NIV) 20:1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”
OBSERVATION: Mary, why didn’t you see the stone removed and immediately think, “It is true! It happened just as He said! He arose and left an empty tomb!” She could have said that. Surely, she had been with Jesus and the disciples long enough to hear what He had said about rising to life again. (Matthew 16:21; 17:23; 20:19)
But Mary’s mind was so programmed to think according to the world’s pattern that she immediately thought, “His body has been stolen! Where did they take my Lord?” She missed the opportunity to have a “hallelujah dance” just outside the empty tomb!
APPLICATION: Today I spoke with my cousin, two months older than me. We spent hours and hours together as children. He confirmed what I was told, that he has stage four lung and bone cancer. Though not as critical as he, I shared my situation. We had a great time of fellowship over the phone talking about Jesus. Talking about what God has done, is doing, and will do in our lives! Our minds have been trained to think about our circumstances from God’s point of view.
We both remember what God has said in His word. We both remember our grandparents and parents. We both remember how God has spoken to us personally. We both remember what God has promised us for the near future. We are blest!
PRAYER: Lord, what blessings are ours when we enjoy the fellowship of other believers. We can encourage each other to rejoice even before we have the answers to our prayers. Amen
Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!
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