It’s hard when life goes differently than you planned and something you believe is certain ends up a loss. Anger, grief, resentment, sadness — the emotions could go on, and each person reacts differently, but at the end of the day, it’s the same feeling of aching that no one wants. This side of heaven really does ebb and flow between joy and grief. This Easter, you might have been surrounded by a celebration that you felt no desire to take part in. Whatever the reason for that, I want to share a story with you about one follower of Jesus who might be relatable.
Her name was Mary, and she was possessed by seven demons. There’s no more context besides that statement, but it’s enough. This woman was tormented, and Jesus rescued her. A beautiful testimony no one could deny her: “I was in chains. And Jesus set me free.” She experienced firsthand the life-giving, resurrection power of Jesus the moment she met him, and it’s no wonder she is known as devoted. Every instance we witness her discipleship in the gospels, we witness a woman who never betrayed Jesus, never ran away, sitting at the foot of the cross, crying at his tombstone. Devoted. She loved him, believed in him and then believed she had to mourn him. So many of her expectations buried with him.
I have followed Jesus for nine years now, and one of my favorite parts of knowing him is knowing how he turns everything upside down. When I was sixteen, one of my friends passed away in an unexpected accident. I didn’t know Jesus then, and I didn’t know his resurrection mattered and I was confident that if there was a God, he didn’t care. I was mistaken. It’s why the story of Mary is one I want to share with you now. If this Easter, you’re mourning, whether someone passing away or another circumstance, take a look with me at the graveside that didn’t end in death.
“But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, ‘They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.’ Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned and said to him in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni’ (which means Teacher).” – John 20:11-16
It’s been over ten years since I lost my friend, and this year, I lost another one. Stage four cancer and it was quick. Another reminder that this world isn’t our home, and things are still very broken. But then, there was Easter. And this time, so differently than last, I am confident that there is a God, and not only does he care, but he has already done something about it.
If you don’t believe that Jesus is God, I invite you to read through John — it’s twenty-one chapters. Ask yourself who Jesus is and know that anyone here at Christ Chapel would love to talk with you about it if you have questions. If you don’t have a Bible, please message us, and we’ll send you one. We’ll be praying for each person reading this, and I hope you see the one true God who cares about your grief and loss. Either way, whether you’ve walked with Jesus for years and know this story or this is the first time hearing it, there’s one last thing I want to share with you.
I wish I never had to experience losing anyone I love, and yet, as I read about Mary turning around and seeing Jesus alive, I am reminded that even in grief, Jesus reigns. The enemy we thought could never be defeated was by Jesus that first Easter and as I wait for the day for it all to be made right, for the final victory to be complete, and death to be no more, I can look at the resurrection and know it’s coming. Scripture says that grief might be for the night, but joy comes in the morning. This isn’t how it’s supposed to be, and it won’t continue forever. Jesus is alive and for every disciple he is our strong, certain, living Hope.