Wednesday, May 13, 2015
John 20:15-17 Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, "Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to Him, "Rabboni!" (which is to say, Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.'"
MARY HAS TO "LET GO" OF JESUS!?!
The woman sat weeping loudly. Her tears had stopped flowing because her tear ducts once again had dried out. This was the not the first day, nor the first week, nor even the first month this mourning had lasted. A friend had been attempting to encourage her routinely after her deeply loved one was tragically taken from her. The friend's words had kindly, but also unexpectedly, slipped through sympathetic lips almost whispering, "It's time to let go."
How could a friend say such cold, seemingly unsympathetic words? How could anyone truly understand? How could you begin to help someone heal from their loss? It is important to hear our risen Savior's words to Mary on Easter morning at the grave in the garden.
Jesus reminded Mary that His relationship with His disciples would no longer be in a personal fellowship of sight, sound, or touch. But rather, He reminded His followers that it was good for them that He should go (ascend to His Father), so they'd have fellowship with Him and the Father, and receive also the gift of fellowship with the Spirit (John 16:7).
Jesus in a way also reminded Mary, as He does us, that death indeed separates us from a dearly loved one. But when that loved one is a Christian, we can "let them go" with Christ, trusting that they go to ascend to our Heavenly Father, our amazing God of grace and love! After all, Jesus comforted Mary and His followers saying, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:3).
