July 22, 2023

Today's Reading: John 20:1-2, 10-18

Daily Lectionary: Joshua 10:1-25, Acts 11:19-30

“Mary”  John 20:16

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. In the resurrection account there are a lot of people who are scared, perplexed, even doubting this all took place.  Their faithful disciples had a hard enough time believing the message they first heard, let alone from a woman for whom Jesus had removed demons. In the middle of all the confusion, Mary from Magdalene, stood outside the tomb and wept.  She looked inside and saw two angels.  She was wailing loudly, for she loved her Lord.  She saw His arrest, crucifixion, and death.  She learned much from Him, and He had cast seven unspecified demons from her. Not only was He dead, but His body was missing.  

In her sadness and despair she failed to recognize her risen Lord standing in her presence…until He spoke a single word.  He who created the world by speaking a word, He who spoke a healing Word to many who were ill, demon-possessed and dead, speaks to Mary a very simple yet profound Word on that first Easter -  He simply says,"Mary!" 

In our sins, we can be so clouded by fear, despair and doubts that we cannot recognize our Lord on our own.  Yet in all of this the risen Lord Jesus has prepared the fruits of HIs cross and resurrection for you just as He did for Mary. In the Divine Service, Jesus calls us by name and bids us to follow Him through our Baptism into His death and resurrection.  Each Sunday Jesus gathers us around the cross and resurrection and speaks over and over as He proclaims His death and resurrection and attaches those promises to water, bread and wine.  Through these Means of Grace our Lord gives us the gifts He won on the cross for us; so we are not left in the sadness and despair of our sins. We are the blessed recipients of Mary's being the first eyewitness to the Lord's resurrection, for the Lord rose from the dead for her, and for you. 

The Eleven did not believe Mary, but the Holy Spirit inspired St. Matthew, St. Mark (an associate of St. Peter), St. Luke (associated with St. Paul), and St. John to record that which Mary saw and that to which she testified.  And it is this same Holy Spirit who takes us poor, miserable sinners and makes us faithful. Just like Mary and the followers of Jesus, He is bringing us out of the great tribulation by washing our robes in His blood. The resurrected voice of Jesus is still alive and active as He is calling each of us by name, and promising you His resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

All praise for Mary Magdalene, Whose wholeness was restored By You, her faithful master, Her Savior and her Lord. On Easter morning early  A word from You sufficed; For she was first to see You, Her Lord, the risen Christ. (LSB 516:20)

-Pastor Kent Schaaf is Pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Little Rock. AR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey.

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.