They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”
John 20:13
The other day I had an appointment with my doctor, and as I was leaving the office, I encountered a number of people who were crying.
There are a lot of tears in our world. There are tears over love that’s grown cold; there are empty places in our homes; there are addictions that have ruined lives. As we read our newspapers or watch the news, we hear the cries of people. And sometimes we cry with them.
Mary’s response to the angels’ question revealed her deep love for the Lord. She was convinced not only that Jesus was dead but that grave robbers had taken his body. Her tears so blinded her to the truth of Christ’s presence that when she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, she didn’t recognize him. Jesus asked Mary the same question the angels asked, and then he added, “Who is it you are looking for?”
Seeing the truth depends on being open to it. Mary was looking for Jesus in the wrong place—in the grave. But Jesus opened her eyes to a new possibility as he called her name: “Mary.” And Mary, with eyes that now saw the truth, responded, “Teacher!”
Who are you looking for? Have you heard Jesus calling your name? (See John 10:3-4.)
Who are you looking for? Jesus is the best tear dryer in the world (see Revelation 21:4).
We confess, Lord, that we often do not look for you. We search for answers in the wrong places. Thank you for helping us focus on looking for you, the living Lord. Amen.
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