Mary Magdalene's View of Her Risen Lord Turns Her Tears to Rejoicing

When Mary Magdalene went to the tomb that Sunday morning, she did so to do a last service of honor to her fallen Master. She went because for her, the loss of Christ was personal - for He had rescued her from the madness of demonic possession!

How happy she had been to minister to Him during His time on earth, and though she thought Him gone forever, yet she would not abandon Him, but would perform a final tribute and honor to Him.

When she found the tomb empty, she naturally thought somebody had moved His body. This disturbed her even more, since it meant that His repose was disturbed and, possibly, His body desecrated and dishonored. "They have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid Him!"

But when He called her by her name, everything changed forever for Mary Magdalene!

Her service in menial tasks for Him was forever concluded. Never again would she be called upon to serve Him in common physical needs, for never again would He be subject to the weakness of the flesh. He has been raised "with power" - and soon He would be exalted and glorified.

Her menial service was replaced by a glorious privilege - to proclaim first His Resurrection and victory to His brethren! She who had been faithful in service and most persistent was honored in this way.

But most of all, her tears at His death were all wiped away! So too our remembrance of the death He died for us is not bittersweet, for His resurrection takes all the sorrow away and leaves nothing but joy at His victory!

"We love to look up and behold Him there, the Lamb for His chosen slain!"

How glorious that Christ was raised - for He slew death by dying, and rising again!