April 28, 2011 - John 20:18

“Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: ‘I have seen the Lord!’ And she told them that he had said these things to her.” John 20:18
On the first day of the Jewish week, which is our Sunday, Mary went to the place where Jesus’ body was placed after his death. Upon arriving at the tomb, she discovered that the large stone used to close the entrance of the tomb had been moved and Jesus’ body was missing. She went back to the disciples to report her findings and they returned with her to the tomb. After they searched, the disciples journeyed back to their meeting place. Mary, being very upset, stayed behind at the tomb. A person who she mistook for the gardener spoke to her, and when He spoke her name, she recognized that this person was Jesus, resurrected from the dead. They talked briefly and she was sent back to the others to tell them that Jesus was alive.
What a wonderful thing it was that a woman was the first to see the resurrected Jesus. Remember that the culture of their time was very strongly male-oriented, and patriarchal. I would have thought they would have preferred it had been one of the male disciples that met Jesus before anyone else. Instead, pleasantly enough, it is Mary who is first. That would have been fairly scandalous and controversial back in those times. And yet, Jesus chose to appear to Mary before any of the disciples. Outrageous!
Questions to consider: Do you think that Mary being the first to see Jesus was significant? Why, or why not? What application can you draw from this for your journey with Jesus?
Prayer: Father, Thank You that Mary was the first to see the resurrected Jesus. Lord, You have a purpose for everything that You do. Help me to recognize Your presence in some of the outrageous things that people say, write, or do. Please help me not to judge, but instead, listen for Your voice. Amen.