But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb. —John 20:11*

Dew coated Mary’s face in the early morning darkness as she dashed along the footpath to the garden tomb. The sweet, rose-like aroma conflicted with her grief. Her chest heaved with sorrow as she trailed through the garden, searching for the sealed tomb. Suddenly, she stopped and blinked anxiously. The tomb entrance stared at her like a giant, empty eye socket. She knew a hefty stone had been slid across the opening, scarring the surface with its weight. Her hands trembled to her face, and her eyes darted back and forth, looking for the men who must have moved the stone. Seeing no one, she turned and ran. When she reached Peter and John, she said breathlessly, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him!”  (John 20:2b).

Immediately, Peter and John raced to the tomb and saw the burial clothes but did not see Jesus. Then they believed. Then they believed, indeed!

While Peter and John sprinted home to tell the others, Mary, who had followed them back to the garden, “stood weeping outside the tomb” (vs. 11). Then she stooped and stared into the tomb. White filled the void. Two angels (she knew they were angels) sat where Jesus lay a short time ago. Mary wiped her face and dried the back of her hand on her skirt.

“Why are you weeping?” they asked.
“Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”
Sensing someone beside her, she turned and saw a man standing next to her.
“Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” He asked.
Thinking He must be the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”
Then Jesus said to her, “Mary.”*

What a sweet reunion that must have been! The Bridegroom and His spiritual bride, the first of His Church to be greeted after the resurrection.

However, this spiritual “garden wedding” was not the first in Scripture. That title goes to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. But each one required a sacrifice—a wound in the side. It is beautiful that God first created man in a garden. But Eden was not only the birthplace of man but also the creation of women and the first marital union. Although Adam was created from dust, Eve was created from Adam’s wound. Centuries later, we find the resurrected Jesus—the second Adam in the Garden with Mary, a woman and the first to see the risen Lord with His scarred hands and punctured side. He’s standing next to His “bride,” whom He birthed through the water and blood that had poured from that wound in His side. Death to life. Like a seed planted in a garden, there is no life without death.

It surprises me that the disciples didn’t expect the resurrection. After all, Jesus taught them. However, they were, at best, uncertain about what would happen after Jesus was crucified. Even though He had told them several times that He would suffer and die and, on the third day, be raised again. They, like me, could not grasp that life only comes through death.

Father, as we approach Easter, help me remember why Jesus suffered and died. “He came to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10). And that includes me. Search my heart, Lord, and see if there is any unclean thing in me. Teach me to die to myself and give me a heart for the lost, especially for those who are brokenhearted, so I can bear fruit that reflects your heart.

*All verses are from John 20
NASB and NASB1995.

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and
in peace in believing, that you may abound in hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13 NJKV).

Marlene McKenna

Sweet Selah Ministries 

Vision
To inspire a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth of God’s Word that stillness and knowing
Him matter most—and will be reflected in more effective work and service

Mission
To offer biblical resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet)

Donate
If you’ve been blessed, keep the blessing going!
Click over to our Donation page … and thanks.

Share it. Pin it.