John 20:11-18

1. We see that those who love Christ most diligently and perseveringly are those who receive most privileges from Christ’s hand.
2. We see that the fears and sorrows of believers are often quite needless.
3. We see what earthly thoughts of Christ may creep into the mind of a true believer.

"All believers have not the same degree of faith, hope, knowledge, courage or wisdom and it is foolish to expect it. But it is a certain fact that those who love Christ most fervently and cleave to Him most closely will always enjoy most communion with Him and feel most of the witness of the Spirit in their hearts."

"Two-thirds of the things we fear in life never happen at all and two-thirds of the tears we shed are thrown away and shed in vain. Let us pray for more faith and patience and allow more time for the full development of God’s purposes."

"In every age there has been a tendency in the minds of many, to make too much of Christ’s bodily presence and to forget that He is not a mere earthly Friend, but one who is God over all, blessed forever, as well as human. Let us pray for a right judgment in this matter, as in all other things concerning our Lord’s person. Let us be content to have Christ dwelling in our hearts by faith, and present when two or three are met in His name, and to wait for the real presence of Christ’s body till He comes again."

"As He dealt with His erring disciples on the morning of His resurrection, so will He deal with all who believe and love Him until He comes again. When we wander out of the way He will bring us back. When we fall He will raise us again."

Questions:

1. We see Mary Magdalene remain at the tomb of Jesus and become the first to see and hold conversation with the Lord Jesus. Ryle points out that while there are various degrees of faith, hope, knowledge, courage, and wisdom among believers, the simple rule applies: those who love Christ most fervently and cleave to him most closely will, like Mary experienced that Resurrection morning, enjoy most communion with Him. Do we read the Bible just to check off a reading plan list, or to know and enjoy Christ more?
2. We see Mary weep for Jesus even while Jesus is right at hand. Ryle draws from this the reality of what many Christians regularly face, namely anxiety when there is no just cause for anxiety. He states that two-thirds of things we fear in life never happen at all and two-thirds of the tears we shed are thrown away and shed in vain. If we look back on the situations that draw anxiety out of us, even this past month, how many of them come to pass? Would we not pray for more faith and patience and allow more time for the full development of God's purposes?
3. We see Mary receive a gentle rebuke from Jesus when he tells her not to cling to him. Ryle draws from this a mistake of many in every age, namely a tendency to make too much of Christ's bodily presence when what we really need is his Spirit. Are we content to have Christ dwelling in our hearts by faith, present when two or three are gathered, and waiting for his physical presence when he returns?
4. We see Jesus speak tenderly and compassionately to his disciples in the message he gives Mary to deliver to them. Remember, they had fled from and denied him only three days earlier, and now Jesus speaks as if all is forgiven and forgotten. He brings them back and heals their wounds. Ryle declares from Hebrews that this compassionate Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. How does this comfort us as we consider our failings and backslidings?