Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.
Who Are We seeking?
After Jesus’ resurrection, the two Mary’s came to the tomb and found the stone had been rolled away and Jesus’ body was missing! They panicked, thinking that someone, perhaps the gardener, had moved Him (John 20:13, 15). As they wept, Mary turned around, and seeing Jesus but apparently not recognizing Him, she asked Him if someone had moved Jesus’ body and, if so, to please tell her where so that she may move Him (John 20:15). Jesus spoke to her and asked her why she was crying, and she said she wanted to know where Jesus’ body was. When Jesus had finally spoke to her and called her by name, Mary finally realized Who He was and wanted to go and embrace Him, but Jesus, saying that He had not yet ascended to the Father, told her to go and tell her brothers (John 20:17). Mary must have run as hard as she could and excitedly told the disciples that she had seen the risen Lord (John 20:18). Do you think they believed her? What do you think?
The Disciples See Him
When Jesus appeared to the disciples on that Sunday evening, He showed them His pierced hands and feet as further evidence that He had risen from the dead (John 20:19). That was the moment Jesus breathed on them and they received the Holy Spirit. Their eyes must have suddenly been opened for the first time (John 20:22). The fact is that Jesus is not known by sheer flesh and blood, but God reveals Him to us (Matt 16:17) just as He revealed Himself to Paul on the Damascus Road (Gal 1:16). When we are telling others about Christ, we must realize that unless God reveals Who Christ is, they will remain blind to Him because God is the One Who adds to the church as many as might be saved (Acts 2:47) and those appointed unto eternal life (Acts 13:48).
People Still Seek Him
Today people are still seeking Him, but in reality it is God Who pursues those who will receive eternal life (John 6:44) much like the prodigal’s father ran after Him (Luke 15:20). Yes, whoever believes in Him can be saved (John 3:16). People are still seeking after God, but it is God Who initiates our faith that saves (Eph 1; Rom 8:28-30), and I for one am so very glad. None of us really pursue or seek after God (Rom 3:11) because every one of us has turned to our own way (Rom 3:12), but God can still be found for those who want to have a personal relationship with Him, and God will move heaven and earth to make it possible.
A Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for saving me and for those who come humbly before You for eternal life. I know that, like me, You have to humble us before we can receive Your grace (James 4:6), so thank You for that, too, and that I might know You and Your great Son, by Whose blood we have been saved. In Jesus’ name I thank You.
Amen
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