Easter Expectations

Published April 8, 2012 |

Then [Mary Magdalene] turned around and saw Jesus standing there; but she did not know that is was Jesus. “Woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who is it that you are looking for?” John 20: 14-15

Mary Magdalene and the other women went to the tomb on that first Easter Sunday with spices to anoint Jesus’ body for burial. The empty tomb led Mary to the conclusion that others had removed the body. Mary didn’t recognize Jesus when he spoke to her out side the tomb. I suspect that’s because the last thing she expected was for her Lord to be standing there, talking to her.

Jesus had told his disciples about his death and also that he would rise three days later before any of it happened, but they couldn’t wrap their minds around it. God is always bigger than our expectations. How could it be otherwise? We are limited. God is infinite. Easter Sunday bears witness to the fact that death is not the end of the story, but leads to new life.

“Who is it that you looking for?” The risen Christ exceeded what Mary was looking for based on her prior human experience. Can we be open to Him exceeding our expectations?

Prayer: Lord, open our eyes to Your glory.

Reflection for sharing: Who is it that you are looking for Jesus Christ to be in your life today?

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Meditations

But Jesus answered “The scripture says, ‘Human beings cannot live on bread alone, but need every word that God speaks.’” (Matthew 4:4)

All Bible quotes are from the Good News Translation unless otherwise noted.

It is reassuring that Jesus called fishermen and tax collectors to be his followers. These were laymen, not Scripture experts. It is wise to seek guidance from religious scholars and clergy who have studied Scripture to avoid errors in interpretation. But the Bible is also a gift given to each of us, to use as a basis for prayer and meditation.

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