Risen

It was that first Sunday. I had just divorced and gotten away from an abusive marriage and this Scripture was read. Mary, grieving, lost in the depths and Jesus shows up. She doesn't recognize him. He is a misty figure through her tears. She supposes he is the gardener. After all, that is the clothes he is wearing. Then her name, all our names, and I cried. I still do.

Being that fully known in the midst of life's grief and sorrow. In the face of all that is impossible. Even with the threat of the guards coming and arresting her she is there. Jesus comes out to her.

Now you have to understand a bit about Mary of Magdala too. If you read the gospels to find her you know she is the woman Jesus cast out seven demons from. Now the church fathers have always portrayed her as a prostitute, but she wasn't. No where in the gospels do we get this about her. So even in story she is misunderstood and misrepresented.

Maybe this was why I identified with her also. You see when you are escaping an abusive situation people misjudged you. They think he's too nice to be what she says. They would rather believe you found someone else or are trying to wrong him financially, which is actually just another way he has financially abused you even though you no longer live with him. So you don't touch any money, even with two kids to feed.

So, when I hear this story on Easter I hear my story. The story of being misunderstood. The story of going through huge grief and here, right here Jesus is calling my name. Can you hear your own name? Do you remember why you came to follow this Jesus?

See we all have a story of being claimed as Christ's. There is a reason we are here this morning to hear this story. What is you Easter story? Are you Peter or John running to the tomb to see if its all true? Jesus is gone, no here. What do you believe about this? Are you the woman faithfully coming to perform the last anointing of love? To do this well, as is your duty. 

Today explore your story. Find the places where you knew Jesus. Remember why you follow this one. Then go and tell someone this story. Don't be afraid. It is an old, old story written on your heart, so others may believe that Jesus is calling their name. Come and see.