Title: From Weeping to Joy
Theme: To show how Mary Magdalene went from weeping in her life to joy.
Text: John 20:1 – 18
Note: Part of the idea for this message came from Unshakable Hope by Max Lucado ch. 11
John 20:1-18 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. (2) Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him." (3) Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. (4) So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. (5) And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. (6) Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, (7) and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. (8) Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. (9) For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. (10) Then the disciples went away again to their own homes. (11) But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb.
Retell the story.
Early Sunday morning Mary finds herself headed to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus. This was a common custom in her day. She expected to find the one whom she had just seen die on a cross a few days before. She is shocked and dismayed when she arrives and the tomb, not only to find it open but empty.
So she runs back to tell the disciples. They show up and find the same thing. An empty tomb. They run to tell the others but Mary stays back and the Bible says she is “weeping”.
Why?
Well you got to understand, she was here to care for the body of Jesus who had earlier cared for her. This is the same Mary who according to Luke
Luke 8:2-3 “had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities - out of whom had come seven demons, (3) and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.
She had had seven demons in her. What did Jesus do? He delivered her from the demons. Seven demons. She was a prisoner of seven afflictions. These demons had her bound. Every time she felt like she would move forward an ugly demon would pop its head up the pull her back down into a dark pit.
I wondered what these demons must have looked like. I would venture to say it is not much different than what we deal with today.
- Demon of insecurity
- Demon of abuse
- Demon of rejection
- Demon of depression
- Demon of loneliness
- Demon of addiction (alcoholism and drugs)
- Demon of shame
- Demon of fear
Her life was a wreck and full of confusion until Jesus stepped in. “He spoke and the demons fled. For the first time in a long time, the oppressive forces were gone. Banished. Evicted. Mary Magdalene could sleep well, eat enough, and smile again. The face in the mirror was no anguish. Jesus restored her life.”
Note: He can do the same for you today. He can deliver you from the demons that you face.
There are times in our life in which we are fighting demons. But God is the one who will help us overcome.
Mary became a follower of his. From “contributing their own resources to support Jesus” to helping them organize and.
Wherever Jesus went she followed Him. She saw him perform miracles and she did what she could so the ministry could go on.
We even find her at the crucifixion, “near the cross” (John 19:25). Watching him die. Waiting for the sabbath to pass. Rushing to the tomb to anoint His body.
This is why she wept. She wept because of how much she had put into the work.
You could be weeping today. Weeping in dismay of God’s plan. Wondering where He is at. Why doesn’t he do something?
But I like what Psalms 30:5 says, “Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.”
It will not be like this forever.
Let’s pick up in verse 12
(12) And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. (13) Then they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him."
The other gospels give us a little more description of the conversation
Matthew 28:6 He isn't here! He has been raised from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.
The angels were bringing clarity. Jesus said this would happen. Over and over again Jesus said that He would die and three days later He would come back. Yet it seems that everyone missed it.
(14) Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.
Jesus was there but she did not recognize Him. Why?
1. It was dark. Dark in the area. Also dark in her life. She was at a dark place. I am not talking about what she experienced earlier. I am talking about hurt and brokenness. She did not want to be here. She did not want to take care of Jesus body.
It was not supposed to be like this. Jesus was supposed to be alive. He was not supposed to die a tragic death.
Life can take some tragic turns. Sometimes unexpected.
Cancer comes in. Death comes in. We find ourselves at a dark place. Jesus is there and we do not even recognize Him.
2. She couldn’t see him through her pain.
Our hurt and pain can cause us to miss Jesus. When we are hurt by someone. Can I be honest with you? “Church hurt can be the worst hurt”. We feel betrayed. We feel deep hurt.
It is very hard to get a clear vision of Jesus throughout tears.
3. She was not looking nor expecting Him.
Finally, Mary after looking in the tomb that was empty was not expecting find a Savior who is a live.
(15) Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, "Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away."
So now Jesus is speaking to her and she still doesn’t recognize Him. I believe she is too distracted. Jesus steps up and says:
(16) Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to Him, "Rabboni!" (which is to say, Teacher).
That did it, now Mary knew who Jesus was. When Jesus spoke her name. This was not a general call. Jesus called her name.
Jesus is calling you by name. He is not calling you by your deeds. He is not waiting on you to “get it together” but He is calling you by name. Yes the world often calls us by our worst deeds. “Addict, adultery, failure, etc. The list goes on. But Jesus knows who you are.
John 10:27 His sheep know His voice.
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Do you remember when Jesus called your name?
What is Mary’s reaction. She grabs a hold of Jesus. How do we know? (17) Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father;
And He lets her. Even if it is for a short time. Cling to Jesus.
How do you let go? Why do you let go?
but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.' " (18) Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.
She comes to the tomb weeping but she leaves rejoicing.
Weeping Endures for the Night, But Joy Comes in the Morning
Conclusion
The resurrection of Jesus has been called the greatest miracle that has ever happened. Why? Not because of the act itself. I mean truly the
Because of the implication
Jesus said in John 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.”. The resurrection now says what Jesus said is true. Yes as the Son of God but more as one who can bring life.
Not death. Because of the resurrection Paul now challenges death, 1 Corinthians 15:55, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
“The resurrection is the triumphant and glorious victory for every believer. Jesus Christ died, was buried, and rose the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). And He is coming again! The dead in Christ will be raised up, and those who are alive at His coming will be changed and receive new, glorified bodies (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18). Why is the resurrection of Jesus Christ important? It proves who Jesus is. It demonstrates that God accepted Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf. It shows that God has the power to raise us from the dead. It guarantees that the bodies of those who believe in Christ will not remain dead but will be resurrected unto eternal life.” - Why is the resurrection of Jesus Christ important? | GotQuestions.org
Where do you stand now? Will you let God take away your demons? Will you listen to His voice and calling? Will you cling to Jesus again?
