The First

Today’s reading: John 20:1-31

“Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, “I have seen the Lord!” Then she gave them his message.” - John‬ ‭20:18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Many people believe that this is one of the greatest proofs for the truthfulness of the resurrection. Why is that? There would be no ancient advantage for John to place Mary Magdalene as the first to see the resurrected Christ. The word of a woman was so devalued during this time, that they could not even testify in court of law. John is essentially saying, “This is how it really happened. I mean, you can’t make this stuff up.”

Mary was clinging to Him, and Jesus told her to stop. Why? Because Him staying there, in His resurrected flesh, was not the plan. The plan would be for Him to ascend 39 days later. 49 days later, we will see the reason why. Jesus had His bride, the Church, to inaugurate with the coming of the Holy Spirit.

God continually, and intentionally, did (and does) things to shock and wake the world.

Mary Magdalene was no exception.

We can ignore even pleasure. But pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world. - C.S. Lewis