Mary Magdalene Returns to the Tomb
February 9, 2023
Commentary
It seems that Mary returned to the tomb after Peter and John had returned home (vv.10-11). Probably she had not seen or talked with these two disciples since they had been to the tomb, and therefore, had no knowledge of their conclusion about the Lord’s resurrection. Mary still thought that Jesus was dead as she stood outside the tomb crying. There is certainly nothing wrong with sincere sorrow, because God made us to shed tears; and weeping is good therapy for a broken heart. As a Christian we do not weep because we have no hope but because we miss the person who is gone. She looks into the tomb and sees two individuals dressed in white, who were angels (v. 12). She wants to know where the Lord’s body is so she can complete the embalming (vv. 13-14).
As Mary turns to leave Jesus is standing in front of her in His resurrected body and says, “Why weepest thou” (v.15)? She is so overcome by her sorrow and grief that she does not even recognize Him and thinks that He is the gardener. Then He speaks her name and she immediately recognizes Him and cries out “Rabboni!” (which means my teacher) (v. 16). It seems that she may have grabbed Jesus and tried to prevent Him from going for He said. “Touch me not” (v. 17) (which meant to cling to or to take hold of). She evidently indicated that she wanted to hold onto Him and keep Him with her. He explains that His destination is to go to the Father and a new relationship will begin as the Holy Spirit comes to be with us at all times. Mary’s new responsibility is to testify about His resurrection (v. 18). The command given to Mary is the command given to all Christians: go and tell that Jesus is risen.
Application
What was it like before I met Jesus and what was it like after I met Him? How do I explain the change and what has it meant to me? Is this something worth sharing with others? The big question is, with whom will I share it this week?
John 20:11– 18 (NET)
11 But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. As she wept, she bent down and looked into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white sitting where Jesus’ body had been lying, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” Mary replied, “They have taken my Lord away, and I do not know where they have put him!” 14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus.
15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?” Because she thought he was the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will take him.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus replied, “Do not touch me, for I have not yet ascended to my Father. 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 informed the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them what Jesus had said to her.
Illustration: A Fork in the Road
There was once a Muslim who became a Christian in Africa. Several of his friends asked him, “Why have you become a Christian?” He answered, “Well, it’s like this. Suppose you were going down the road and suddenly the road forked in two directions, and you didn’t know which way to go, and there in the road were two men, one dead, and one alive. Which one would you ask which way to go?” For every person in life, there is a fork in the road; to be a Christian, or not to be a Christian. One way is littered with nothing but death, but there is another way, as in that fork stands someone who is alive. (Sermon on the Resurrection by Don Schultz – Sermon Central, March, 2002).