Feb. 5- John 20:1-18

A break from The Unexpected Adventure for Sunday School lesson musings.  (If students at Rountree were putting off studying for a class until the night before, I would be rather distraught.)

The text for tomorrow's lesson is from the Gospel of John: Chapter 20, verses 1-18.  It is the recounting of Peter's, John's and Mary's trip to Jesus' empty tomb after His crucifixion.

One disadvantage to attending 47 Easter church services is the tendency to lose some of the awe and wow-factor of this truly amazing story.  Today we have the New Testament with its four accounts of this scene.  Countless commentaries have been written and innumerable sermons preached on this history-changing event.  But for the three at the tomb, none of those resources were available.

Here was a small group of people who had hung their hats on the promises of one man, Jesus.  Now, for all they knew, he was starting the slow process of decomposition in a donated grave.  The healings, the miracles, the unconditional love He had shown during his ministry were also lying in the grave with Him.  I can't help but wonder how much deeper must Peter's pain have been as a result of his public denial of his friend and mentor.  No way to apologize or undo that act of cowardice, or so he thought.

I doubt P, J or M had any idea that Christ was alive when they first reached the empty tomb.  I can imagine Peter returning to the others angry and ready to kick some heinie and take some names until Jesus' body was returned.  Most likely they were blaming the Jewish religious establishment.  Those %*$# Pharisees!

It is interesting that they left Mary behind at the empty grave.  I wonder if either disciple offered to remain behind with her or if selfishness reigned.  Perhaps they offered, and she insisted on staying behind.

And it was the "staying behind" that gave Mary the opportunity to receive one of the greatest blessings of all time. She was the first person to see and talk to the risen Savior of the world.  In  today's parlance, "How crazy was that!"  The very person they went to mourn, standing there alive and talking.  I am surprised the Gospels don't record several heart attacks during the first sightings of Christ after His resurrection.

When I read today's passage I wondered why did Christ chose to first appear to Mary of Magdalene. Here was this formerly demon-possessed, second-class citizen* witnessing an historical game changer.  All of Christ's ministry, His claims of divinity, His heavenly right to forgive sins our sins, were manifest in this one magnificent moment.  And He chose Mary of Magdalene.

I am sure there are Bible scholars who have written much on this, but two reasons came to mind as I was reading today's lesson.

First, I wonder if Jesus knew some jealously and infighting might have been created within the ranks of the disciples if he had selected one over the other for His first appearance.  We know that James' and John's mother had been lobbying for a Cabinet position for her sons in Jesus' administration.  Possibly the disciple's attitudes had robbed them of the chance to participate in this awe-inspiring event.  Do my attitudes ever cause me to miss out on heavenly blessings?  Most likely.

IMO a more important reason for Jesus' appearance to Mary was the fact that she stayed around after the fuss, noise and hubbub.  Jesus appeared to her during the quiet.  She was broken.  She was alone.  She was silent.  That is when Jesus appeared.  "Mary."  Just one word.  How softly He must have spoken her name.  With that one word Jesus personalized His love.  He healed her hurt.  He restored her hope.

At church songs can be sung, notes can be taken and prayers can be prayed, but it is often during my times of quiet solitude that Christ is the most personal.  Just softly speaking my name, "David."   I need to linger by the empty tomb more often.  "David."  My note taking and blog writing should be second to tears of brokenness for the hurting and lost.  "David."  When I am feeling overwhelmed with by the demands of today and tomorrow, I need to wait for Him with an Arcadian mind.  "David."

Heavenly Father, please help me to learn to quiet my spirit on a regular, daily basis so You can reveal Yourself to me and I can hear you speak my name.

*Disclaimer:  The second-class description does not reflect the author's belief about  the fairer sex.  Although Christ tried to level the playing field, women in society at that time were still considered second-tier.