Easter Sunday 2014

April 20: John 20:11-18

Key Verse: John 20:16
Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).

Devotion:
This is one of the sections in my bible that I can relate to because of the love that Mary must have had for Jesus. When someone whom you love so deeply is taken from you it is life changing; but to have them come back and see you face to face again must be earth-shattering! I do tend to love people from deep within me rather than any superficial love that the world talks about because for me love is real and must be shared through your soul and spirit and not just through your body.

Jesus showed us bodily how much we meant to Him by going through what He did, but the way in which He did it displays how much that love came from deep within and not just bodily. To be able to apply that sort of love in your own life is very special and something that I think everyone needs to experience, not just with God but with other people as well.

Mary was very honest in what she said to the angel displaying her emotions and wanting to know where they had taken Jesus’ body. What she did not realise is that this was the scripture coming to life as Jesus had been raised from the dead and was now ready to ascend to heaven to be with God the Father once again. Again her words to what she thought was the gardener were pleading for knowledge of where the body was so she could finish the burial properly.

Jesus’ word were simple but demonstrated the promise that we all have – we will go to be with God in heaven and when we do go, we are going as lambs without a blemish. No more sin will be with us when we go to heaven; just as Jesus did not want to be touched so that He would not take any sin with Him, we too will know what it is finally like to have no more sin on our shoulders.

Jesus has paid it all for us and He has demonstrated His love toward us. Let us be more like Mary and be willing to love Him and others with our whole selves.

Points to Ponder:
How do you show your love?

Do you limit your love?