Mary Magdalene
“I woke with the first sleepy birdsong today while the sky was still dark. For a few minutes, I just lay there, wondering why I felt so heavy and sad.
“Then I remembered. He’s dead. And bitter anguish overwhelmed me again.
“I don’t know how I got through yesterday, an regular day suddenly full of horror. The rumors turning the blood cold. The rush to Calvary to discover the rumors true. Crucified! Bleeding, dying, and there was nothing anyone could do. There was nothing I could do … except be there with Him. Watching from a distance. Did He see me? Did He know I was there?
“I don’t understand how it could have happened. How could they take Jesus of Nazareth and … kill Him? He was so good and gentle, speaking with wisdom and authority, yet kind, so kind, to the least of us. And His teachings! It filled me with joy to listen. He spoke the words of life. And He spoke them to me!
“Who knows where I’d be today if it weren’t for Him. My life, with seven demons, was terrible. He saved me. I owed Him my life. I owe Him … everything.
But now He’s gone.
“Today is the Sabbath and according to the Law, I must rest. But tomorrow I will go to the tomb where we laid him. I’ll go early, before the sun comes up. I know it won’t make any difference to Him, but I need to be where He is, because where He is there is peace. I’ll sit and remember. Oh, how much to remember! How He looked, how He acted, how He spoke. His joy. The sound of His voice as He said my name.
Oh, if only I could hear Him speak just once more! If only I could hear Him say, “Mary!”
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Although we know how this story ends, the ending of our story has yet to be written. But in each new day we find, as Mary did, that God is already there. Take heart, then, and watch, because the dawn is surely coming!
But, O my soul, don’t be discouraged. Don’t be upset. Expect God to act! For I know that I shall again have plenty of reason to praise him for all that he will do. He is my help! He is my God! Psalm 42:11 Living Bible (TLB)
Words we can all hold close in our hearts: “… I need to be where He is, because where He is there is peace. …”
Thanks, Gini. Stay in His peace.