Nashville, Tennessee, United States - The Upper Room Daily Devotional "Joyous Surprise of Easter" Sunday, 20 April 2014 - Read John 20:1 Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went early, while it was still dark, to the tomb, and saw the stone taken away from the tomb. 2 Therefore 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 don’t know where they have laid him!”
3 Therefore Peter and the other disciple went out, and they went toward the tomb. 4 They both ran together. The other disciple outran Peter, and came to the tomb first. 5 Stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths lying, yet he didn’t enter in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and entered into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying, 7 and the cloth that had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 So then the other disciple who came first to the tomb also entered in, and he saw and believed. 9 For as yet they didn’t know the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 So the disciples went away again to their own homes.
11 But Mary was standing outside at the tomb weeping. So, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb, 12 and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 They told her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”
She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they have laid him.” 14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, and didn’t know that it was Jesus.
15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?”
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!”[a] which is to say, “Teacher!”[b]
17 Jesus said to her, “Don’t hold me, for I haven’t yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brothers, and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had said these things to her.
Footnotes:
a. John 20:16 Rabboni is a transliteration of the Hebrew word for “great teacher.”
b. John 20:16 or, Master
While it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb.--John 20:1 (NRSV)
When I was a little girl, my parents hid my Easter basket in unusual places. When I woke up, I followed clues that led me all over the house, into the yard, and even into the barn. Scrambled messages encouraged me to look in odd places. I found my basket tucked in the ironing closet, in the car, or behind a hay bale. What joy to find Easter goodies waiting for me! Easter celebrates good news hidden in surprising places. Who would think to discover new life in a graveyard? Who expects crying to turn into joy? Who imagines forgiveness in despair? On Easter morning, the women discovered the risen Christ in the midst of their sorrow and tears. At times we think that God has forgotten us, but God promises to find us even in the darkest valleys and the farthest corners of the world. We should not be surprised to discover God wherever we are in need. In hospital rooms, in moments of fear, in times of disagreement and confusion, God astonishes us with grace and love. Easter reminds us to have open hearts and spirits so that we can see God in unusual places. Let us rejoice; the risen Christ is with us today and always. Alleluia!
The Author: Susan J. Foster (Connecticut, USA)
Thought for the Day: Look for God’s love in unexpected places.
Prayer: Dear God of life, make us willing to be surprised. Open our eyes, hearts, and spirits to recognize you in unusual places. Amen.
Prayer focus: To discover the joy of Jesus Christ
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