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Tip: To see latest Words of Life, use Refine Search to list by Year.
If using Mobile device, Refine Search may be located at end of page.
To receive copies Words of Life Email The Apostolic Church of Queensland.
In John’s gospel we read that Mary Magdalene, whom Jesus had freed of seven devils (Luke 8: 2), went to His grave after He had been crucified and buried, because she loved Him, but the grave was empty. When she turned she saw someone standing there, but did not recognize Him as Jesus. She thought it was the gardener. Jesus said to her: “Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou?” She answered that she was looking for her Master, but that she could not find Him. Then something wonderful happened, Jesus only said “Mary!” Just one word was enough. Immediately she exclaimed: “Rabboni !” which means Master. Mary recognized Jesus from the way He spoke her name. Mary had found her Master! It seems as if this incident is just one tiny detail of the Easter story. The main event is Christ’s resurrection. However, it is important to ponder over happenings which appear unimportant. Let us go over this short conversation between Jesus and Mary. What do we learn from it? Why did John relate this incident? First of all, a single word is at times enough, provided it is spoken with the love received from God, to find Jesus again and to be one with Him. One single word is enough to change sorrow to joy. A word of comfort can wipe away tears. A word of forgiveness can re-establish the bonds of love. A word of affection can warm a cold heart. In the congregation a simple word or a hymn can console those who have lost courage and feel defeated. Then there is a second point. Mary Magdalene was looking for Jesus; she said: “They have taken away my Lord and I know not where they have laid Him”. The one she was looking for was, however, next to her. Many people today are looking for Jesus or for God, but they are searching for Him far away instead of nearby. We can find Him in a word of comfort or love or encouragement. One thing is certain, we don’t need to look for Him far away. He reveals Himself to His followers not in abstract theories or difficult philosophies or in profound analyses of passages from the Bible, but rather closeby in the congregation through one of God’s servants, a brother or a sister, and sometimes in a word or deed from a stranger: we hear Jesus Christ’s loving voice.
Jesus is risen, and is near us!