Blessed Beyond Recognition

Blessed Beyond Recognition

Scripture Reference: John 20:11 - 16 (KJV)

John 20:11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, 12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. 14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou? She supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. 16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

There are times when we are not recognized by people that we expect to recognize us and we may take offense to it.

However it may not be that the people do not like us or don’t think that we deserve recognition. It may just be that we are too blessed to be recognized.

We are ready to throw in the towel and bring havoc on whoever we think has wronged us but we need to understand that God may be blessing us beyond the recognition of men.

In this passage of scripture:

Immediately following the Sabbath (the day of rest) Mary Magdalene, a woman who truly loved Jesus, returned to his burial site (John 20:1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.)

Though she immediately recognized that the stone had been removed she stayed there crying and looking for Jesus (Verse 11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,) .

Though he had said that he would return in three days (Mark 8:31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.) most people either did not fully believe that he would be able to do it or found something more important than waiting for His return that they needed to do.

The disciples were not at the sepulchre on third day to see the resurrection. Mary had to run and get them. (Matthew 28:7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. 8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.)

This is interesting because this was the greatest work of Jesus Christ and his closest followers were not there to see it. Has God promised us some miraculous things in our lives? What’s holding us back from being present to see them come to fruition?

Mary Magdalene was one of his closest followers, she was one who he had even healed of evil spirits and infirmities. Seven devils had come out of this great woman of God (Luke 8:2 And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,).

This too is an interesting point because if she had any doubt that she had been fully healed then this would have been a perfect opportunity for Satan to come in and play tricks with her mind.

Some of us are continuing to allow Satan to play tricks with our mind even though we are sure that we have been healed by the hand of God. Every time we feel a little weak we go into a total tailspin allowing Satan to toss us to and fro as if we had never even heard the name of Jesus before. Mary Magledene had been healed and was determined to walk in the faith of her healing we need to be like this great woman of God.

Because Mary Magledene followed Jesus so closely it was obvious that she had seen him many times. It would seem as though since she had been at his gravesite waiting for his return, even after the disciples and everyone else gathered around had already left, she should have been able to recognize him.

However when he finally did appear, not only did she not recognize him but she had mistaken him as being only a gardener.