Lent Guide 8
Scripture: John 20:11 – 18 (ESV)
But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.
Reflection:
Today, as we prepare our hearts for Easter worship, we reflect on the first-ever encounter with the risen Jesus. Upon discovering the tomb empty, Mary ran to get Simon Peter and John; they came, and looking in, saw not angels, but only the burial clothes where previously Christ’s body lay (John 20:1-7). Peter, true to form, charged right in to inspect (John 20:6); John saw and believed (John 20:8); and yet both returned to their lodging, unsure of what to do next. Only Mary Magdalene remained. And she wept. She wept for her Lord and herself, for her dashed hopes and her hurting nation, for everything that she once thought might be made right by the ministering hands and mighty voice of her savior.
Then, into her heartbreak, God spoke. He listened. Like a shepherd who calls out to his own sheep by name (John 10:3), Jesus spoke tenderly to her, “Mary.” Only then did she recognize that the kindly gardener she’d been talking with was Jesus, risen and real. The painting below captures this joyful moment: the light of the rising sun illuminates the Risen Son as the central figure in the picture. The sun also highlights Mary’s face as the dawning realization of Jesus’ resurrection begins to illuminate her heart.
Christ and St. Mary Magdalen at the Tomb (1638) – Rembrandt
Rembrandt was not only one of history’s greatest artists, but he was also one of scripture’s great interpreters. He produced over 300 works inspired by biblical texts, which help viewers both picture scenes from the bible and communicate key theological truths. Here, Jesus is depicted dressed as a gardener would have been in Rembrandt’s day. It reminds us that the moment of resurrection is the beginning of the promised New Creation. God’s story with mankind began in a garden, in Eden; as a result of Adam’s rebellion against God, all of humanity was placed under the curse of sin. In a garden called Gethsemane, God’s Son was betrayed and given over to sinful men. In a garden near Calvary, God began the work of restoration by raising His Son from the dead, providing a path to eternal life for all who believe in Him. The vision we are given of heaven is also of a garden, of an Eden restored by Christ, the Second Adam, “On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations” (Rev. 22:2). Reflecting on this passage, Pastor Trevor Hudson says, “Of course Christ is the gardener!”
In a way, we all come to the garden tomb to wonder, to weep, and to worship. May we each hear Jesus, calling us by name, calling us his brothers and sisters, calling his father our father; may we all hear “a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away’” (Rev. 21:3-4).
Contemplation & Prayer:
Whatever you have to tell him, Jesus wants to listen. Remember, everything your soul seeks that is worth having finds its fulfillment in Christ.
As we sit in the silence of Saturday—even as we live in the truth of Easter Sunday—who do you weep for? What heartbreak do you bring before the empty tomb? Where do you long for Christ to appear? Who is God asking you to share the Good News with?
Pray:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thank you for creating me and for calling me by name out of the darkness of sin and into the light of your love. Thank you for preparing a place for me in your heavenly household. As I run my race each day, when I am afraid, send your angels to attend to me; when I weep, comfort me with your voice; when I recognize you in places where I could not see you at first, rejoice with me in gladness. Fill me this day and every day with resurrection hope. Wherever you send me, commission and equip me as a minister of reconciliation, always courageously trusting that Christ has conquered the world, and that in Him I may have peace.
Amen.
Action & Invitation:Today or throughout this week…
- Give to our special Easter Offering here. For nearly 100 years, we’ve planted churches locally and globally, watching God use this work to bless generations. That’s why, this Easter Sunday, every dollar given to HP Pres will go directly to support the persecuted church, including the global Iranian diaspora movement worldwide and in North Texas.
- Listen to Claudio Monteverdi’s “Surgens Jesus” performed by the Notre Dame Magnificat Choir and selected by Director of Music Greg Hobbs as a musical companion for this week’s devotional text. Watch here.
Additional resources for going deeper…
- Podcast:
- Meeting Christ in Our Tears with Trevor Hudson (3/25/19), Episode 154 from Life with God: A Renovaré Podcast. Listen here.
- Books:
*While we recommend these specific resources, this is not a blanket endorsement of everything these authors have written. We encourage you to read with discernment, always measuring insights against Scripture.
