Happy Easter, Beloved

“Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found the stone rolled away from the entrance. …And she stood outside the tomb crying.”

He’d been the first to see past her reputation, the first to see clear through to her heart. The first to see that, inside the wicked woman shunned by decent folks was a little girl who just wanted to be loved. A little girl who wanted to be good, but somehow kept being bad. Who wanted to do the right thing, but somehow kept getting it wrong.

He was the first to know she was misunderstood, mistaken, a misfit. The first to know her pain and fear, the first to know her hopes and dreams. The first to think she was OK.

He had healed her of that terrible illness. And then he had become her friend. He was the first to look at her, speak to her, the first who was willing to be seen with her. He treated her – always – with kindness, gentleness, fairness, respect – a type of love she’d never known. He asked her questions, listened to her answers, explained things to her – as though she deserved to know and was able to understand! He treated her just as he treated his friends, just as he treated the men. This had never happened before. She had never had a friend.

But now, she thinks, it’s over. Her friend is dead and buried, she saw it for herself. She thought he’d be here always, she thought he could turn things around. He definitely had some power, but it seems he finally met his match. He always had a message but it seems he’s now been stopped.

He’s gone, her friend and teacher. He can’t help her anymore. It was sweet while it lasted and she’ll love him forever, but he’s gone and she’s alone again. He’s gone and no one else will help her. He’s gone – and now what will she do?

“She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him. ‘Dear woman, why are you crying?’ Jesus asked her. ‘Who are you looking for?’

She thought he was the gardener. ‘Sir,’ she said, ‘if you have taken his body away, tell me where you have put it, and I will go and get it.’

Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’”

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Happy Easter, Beloved, and may you know this Friend who sees clear through to your heart … who loves you no matter what… and whose power to heal and to help you can never be matched and will never be stopped.

Happy Easter, Beloved, and may you hear Him say your name.

Love, Lois {}