After the stone was rolled away pt. 1

" But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, and saw two Angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet,where the Body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why do you weep? She said unto them, because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid Him. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, an saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus said unto her, Woman why do you weep? Whom do you seek? She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said unto Him, Sir, if you have borne Him hence, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away. Jesus said unto her, Mary. She turned herself( she knew his voice), and said unto Him, Rabboni; which is to say , Master.

John 20: 11-16

”When the Master calls"

There comes times in everyone’s life, when situations we experience, weigh heavy on our hearts. Living in an imperfect world, with imperfect people, with trials, trouble, temptation and sin at every turn, can lead to some devastating events. Scripture tells us that the rain(troubles) falls on the just (believers) and unjust( non- believers) alike, because of the fallen nature of the world and man. Financial struggles, family issues, addictions, health problems,and death, are some of the tools Satan uses to undermine our faith, to get us to doubt the Lord, and His Word.

We see in today's scripture, Mary, grieving over the events of the past few days, coming to the tomb, for the purpose of anointing Jesus’ body.(Mk 16:1) This very act says they really didn’t believe He would rise from the dead, or they wouldn’t be ”seeking the living among the dead”.(Lk 24:5) The devastating experience of His Crucifixion, had caused all of His followers to hide in fear of the Jews. The events that occurred brought overwhelming grief, that caused them to forget the words He spoke concerning His Death,Burial and Resurrection.(Lk 18:31-33) Understandably so, from a natural perspective.

But, as soon as Mary heard Him speak, her name, her natural perspective changed. She "knew his voice, for the Shepherd, calls His own, by name."(Jn 10:1-6). Her perspective changed, to say the least.

Many of life's trials takes us to a spiritual, and emotional place, like Mary. And in these trials and tribulations, we react to the stress and anguish of these trying, even over whelming, situations and circumstances, in different ways. The emotions of the moment can cause us to express it with weeping, inconsolable grieving, anger, even anger towards God. We can either "react in the flesh, or respond in the Spirit". Reacting in the flesh, makes a statement, that the situation, is greater than God's Ability, and Word. Mary had the same experience. But she didn't stay in that state of grief.

When we experience, heartache, hard times, when we face failing health, and even death, it is only natural to express, fear, grief, and even anger. The Lord understands our human condition. Neither the angels, nor Jesus, rebuked Mary, but reasoned her through her grief. He does the same with us. His Spirit, and His Word, leads us to a place of responding to our situation,by Faith. He overcame the very worst scenario that could happen in life, being beaten beyond recognition, mocked, spit upon with every step, and suffering the worst possible death, for our atonement.

His Resurrection, and His Victory over death, seals the Promise of Eternal Life, and Victory over our situations. We have the assurance of Him never leaving us or forsaking us.So when you find yourself in a place as Mary, and the Disciples were, feeling lonely, grief stricken, angry,overwhelmed, and hopeless, remember our perspective will change also, as we remember His Word, and listen to His Spirit, “when the Master calls”.