In the classic sports fantasy film Field of Dreams, the character Ray Kinsella encounters his late father as an athletic younger man. Upon seeing him for the first time, Ray comments to his wife, Annie, “I only saw him years later when he was worn down by life. Look at him. . . . What do I say to him?” The scene raises a question: What would it be like to see someone we have loved—but now has died—vital and strong again?
Mary Magdalene had that experience when she first met Jesus after He rose from the dead. Mary was weeping beside the empty tomb when she turned “and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus” (John 20:14). Why didn’t she recognize Him? Perhaps because of the tears in her eyes or because it “was still dark” (v. 1). More likely, it was because when she last saw Him, He’d been bloodied and beaten and tortured to death. She never expected to see Him alive again; He was so alive that it took time for the magnificent truth to sink in.
Yet there Jesus stood, “raised imperishable” (1 Corinthians 15:42)! And the moment He called her by name, Mary recognized Him, not only as her faithful friend and “Teacher” (John 20:16), but also as the risen Lord of life. God always has ways of astounding us with His wonders. His conquering death for us is the greatest surprise of all.
How has God surprised you? How can you share His kindness to you with someone today?
Abba, Father, I praise You for raising Jesus from the dead! Please help me live in the life You give today!
Each of the gospel writers tell the story of Jesus’ resurrection with varying details. Mary Magdalene is the only woman who’s named in all four gospels (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1; Luke 24:10; John 20:1). When she saw Christ standing outside the tomb, she thought He was a gardener (John 19:41; 20:15). But He surprised her when He called her by name (20:16); she then knew she was in His presence and embraced Him (v. 17; see Matthew 28:8-10). Yet Jesus told her, “Do not hold on [or cling] to me” (John 20:17). She was to tell His disciples Christ said He was “ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God” (v. 17). One commentator notes that she “had a task to perform—to inform [Jesus’ disciples] (cf. 20:18) that he was now returning to the Father. This was not a time to [hold] him; there was a job to do.”
