She is mentioned more than any other character in the events surrounding the death and resurrection of Jesus, yet she is often overlooked. Her name is Mary Magdalene. 

She had been there at the foot of the cross that Friday for every moment of the six horrific hours Jesus hung there. She heard every word, every groan. Then she watched Him cry out, breathe His last and die. 

Mary watched as they took down His body and place it in a borrowed tomb. And she sat there in the garden, watching as the stone was rolled in place and sealed. 

She was shocked, numb, unable to move. Her grief would have been overwhelming. The One who had changed her life, restored her dignity, and given her purpose… was dead.

The following day was the Sabbath. No work, no travel. She hunkered down with her grief and waited. 

On Sunday, Mary and some friends left for the tomb early in the morning bringing spices and linen to wrap Jesus’ body in. On the way, they questioned among themselves how they were going to move this huge stone. But when they arrived, they found the stone rolled away!

When Mary saw that, she did not think, “Resurrection!” She thought, “Grave robbers!” She quickly ran to tell Peter and the others. 

Peter and John ran back to the tomb. There on the slab were the strips of linen that had bound Jesus’ body. Instantly, they believed. Jesus was alive!

After the men left, Mary stood outside the tomb crying. When she finally got up the nerve, she bent over to peer into the tomb. To her amazement, there inside were two angels. They asked her, “Why are you crying?”

She turned around and through her tears saw the figure of a man in the garden. He asked her the same question: “Why are you crying?” 

She was confused, thinking it was the gardener. And then He spoke one word. “Mary.” He called her name. And in that instant, she knew. He was alive! Jesus was alive! 

Her tears of grief turned to tears of joy as she threw herself into His arms. What a reunion! 

I’ve been thinking about the question Mary was asked on that resurrection Sunday. “Why are you crying?” Mary was crying because she thought it was all over. Friday had won. The dream was dead. Hope was gone. 

Maybe you can identify with Mary. It feels like all your hopes and dreams seem have died.  You’re confused and frightened. You feel hopeless, like you have no future. And I suppose you have every right to cry, if that’s really the way it is. If, indeed, Friday has won.

But what if that’s not the case? What if Jesus really is alive? And what if He is calling your name today?

It’s true! The Resurrected Jesus is alive and well and He knows your name. He is calling out to you. Can you hear Him? 

He is calling you to believe that Friday doesn’t have the last word, and you can trust Him for what concerns you.

Text: Matthew 27:55-61; John 20:1-18

Originally recorded on April 12, 2009, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN