The Church Lady and The Gardener

On Friday they stood and watched 

as He died.  It was undeniable

they saw it happen.

The mid afternoon grew as dark

as night and the earth trembled

as Jesus surrendered his spirit.

They most likely helped get his 

body to the tomb that was so 

generously offered.

This hadn't been planned and 

He had no tomb of his own.

Time was of the essence.

There was church to be getting to.

They had no doubt.

Jesus was dead.

I can just imagine the whispered 

conversations and the planning that

went on that Saturday.

One would offer to bring one 

spice while another had something 

else to share.

After all, Jesus must be 

properly cared for,

even though time had passed.

First thing,

after the Sabbath,

they would go to the tomb

and make things right.

The book of Mark says 

that they actually went out and

bought the spices that very morning

and headed for the tomb.

So perhaps they just didn't have 

the right thing in their pantries after all.

So, they wondered how they 

might get into the tomb.

They weren't strong enough to roll

the stone away but as many women

that I know, they decided they would

figure it out when they got there.

Well, things didn't go exactly as they 

planned.  When they arrived the stone

was already moved

but the tomb was empty.

Well, except for an angel.

But, who's counting.

The angel wasn't exactly who they 

were looking for.

They wanted Jesus!

A short while later we find

Mary Magdalene crying in the garden.

She is distraught.

Resurrection does not seem to 

be on her mind as someone comes to 

her and asks why she is crying.

She tells this man, whom she assumes

is the gardener, that someone stole the body.

She doesn't know where to find it.

(Oh the irony, 

how many times do we try to 

find Jesus and His will in every way possible

when all we need to know is spelled out

in His Word?) 

I love how Jesus reveals Himself to her.

He simply says her name...

"Mary".

Instantly she knew!

It was Him!!

The tears now had new meaning.

Her Jesus was alive.

He is alive.

How wonderful to 

be Mary that day.

To be in the process of serving

through her grief

and then to be comforted 

by Jesus himself.

Those church ladies surely had

much to talk about after that.

As do we.

HAPPY EASTER!!

Taken from the gospels of Matthew, Luke and John