There’s a pesky armadillo that is hiding in the field near where Daisy, my horse, lives. It hides in a burrow and then when a horse comes by it pops out and greets you. Keep in mind, we know this, but the horses don’t. I ventured near the armadillo’s hideout and was thankful I didn’t see him. I was super glad Daisy didn’t see him either! That doesn’t mean the armadillo wasn’t there.
We don’t see what we don’t see. But it doesn’t mean that it’s not there. We just don’t see it.
Mary Magdalene didn’t see Jesus after he had risen from the dead. But that doesn’t mean He wasn’t there. Can you imagine being Mary Magdalene that day, grieving so much, not totally understanding the resurrection? Check out the text:
“but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one of the heard and the others at the foot. They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” They have taken my LORD away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. “Woman,” he said, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you could have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher)” John 20:11-18
Place yourself in Mary’s sandals. The text tells us that she was weeping. The Greek word used to describe her weeping means loud, uncontrollable wailing. (Bible.org. From Sorrow to Hope) Not only had Jesus died, but now she thought they had taken away his body and not given him a proper burial. Grief had blinded Mary from seeing Jesus. She had no expectation of seeing Jesus! She probably thought Jesus’ question “Why are you weeping?” was beyond crazy!
She didn’t see what she didn’t see. But that doesn’t mean He wasn’t there. Mary just didn’t see Him.
Jesus’ next question changed everything. “Who is it you are looking for?” Jesus didn’t wait for a response to his first question. He knew that the second question could answer everything!
Finally! Mary saw what she didn’t see! Mary had mistaken Him for the gardener! Jesus spoke one word: “Mary.” She didn’t see Him as He was, but she knew Jesus’ voice. All at once, her grief turned to joy!
Maybe you struggle to see Jesus. Maybe you just see him as the gardener, not as He really is. Jesus is here for You. You just may not see Him. Yet, He calls you by name: _______.(your name) Do you hear Him?
Once Mary understood who Jesus was, she responded with joy and immediately went to tell the other disciples. Jesus is alive and his tomb is totally empty! He won the victory over death!
What sorrows in life have kept you from seeing Jesus? Jesus is present for you and longs for a relationship with you, even if you think he’s the gardener.
When the life I built came crashing to the ground
When the friends I had were nowhere to be found
I couldn't see it then but I can see it now
There was Jesus
In the waiting, in the searching
In the healing and the hurting
Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces
Every minute, every moment
Where I've been and where I'm going
Even when I didn't know it or couldn't see it
There was Jesus. (Song by Dolly Parton and Zach Williams)
Take a listen to this great song by Dolly Parton and Zach Williams: There Was Jesus: https://www.youtube.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
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