After Resurrection

Sometimes, it looks dark, but the light's already come. Sometimes, it looks hopeless, but the miracle's already happened. Sometimes, you're looking straight at God, and you don't know it. That's what happened to Mary Magdalene on the first Resurrection Day, facing an empty tomb with anguish.  It still happens, as we're slow to recognize a thousand smaller resurrections God orchestrates in our lives. Sometimes, it's already "after resurrection".

Sometimes, it looks dark, but the light's already come. Sometimes, it looks hopeless, but the miracle's already happened. Sometimes, you're looking straight at God, and you don't know it. That's what happened to Mary Magdalene on the first Resurrection Day, facing an empty tomb with anguish.  It still happens, as we're slow to recognize a thousand smaller resurrections God orchestrates in our lives. Sometimes, it's already "after resurrection".

That morning, Mary Magdalene walked heartbroken, surrounded by darkness but set on her mission. There was no hope left–just this last act of devotion at the tail end of despair. What thoughts must have filled her mind as she walked in the pre-dawn gloom. Was she remembering how Jesus freed her from her demons? Was she replaying the horrors of the cross, or dreading her task? Or maybe she was just numb from mourning. Whatever her focus, the sight of the stone rolled away must have jarred her into the present.

As we read the story in John 20:1-18, this is where we start smiling, but that time was still far away for Mary. We hear "empty tomb" and rejoice, for He is Risen! Mary saw the place where her beloved Rabboni should have been, and assumed what anyone might have. What have they done–was it not enough to crucify him? Now they have stolen his body, too?  Confusion. Outrage. Grief. Agony.

There are times when we are caught in despair, too. Events collide, slamming closed doors of hope one after another. Darkness seeps through our pores, down into our souls until it feels like there is no more light left for us. We feel abandoned and forgotten and helpless. We're filled with confusion, outrage, agony.

Mary didn't know that it was after the resurrection. The darkness had not won. Her intrepretation of events–understandable, but tainted by her suffering–was on a finite human level. She was so chained to her misery that even the message of angels couldn't bring her understanding. She did not know that the light had come, the miracle happened, she was looking at God, but did not recognize him.

And so it happens with us. While we still feel abandoned, God has already worked out everything on our behalf. While we still feel forgotten, God loves us as much as He has ever loved us. While we still grieve dying dreams, God has already orchestrated resurrection from above.

What made Mary understand? What cut through her grief and confusion? One word: "Mary." Her Lord called her by name. Sometimes, we don't recognize resurrection immediately. Sometimes, hope doesn't know to return. In the midst of despair, the light may have already come, the miracle may have already happened, you may be looking at God and not know it. So, now is the time to listen for His voice calling your name, because you may be running late. It may already be after the resurrection.