There are moments in life that leave us with no option than to weep. Moments such as when we lose a beloved one, when our hope is shattered, or when someone betrays our trust. Such moments can be so devastating and life seems not to make meaning anymore. If you have ever experienced any of those moments you will agree with me that such situations can lead to weeping. I remember when I lost my mother I wept uncontrollably and felt as if the world had crumbled on me. At that moment nothing in life made sense to me, everywhere became bleak. What becomes of life when you are separated with someone you dearly love, someone who means so much to you. “Oh God bring the ghost of my mother that I might have a glimpse of her.’, I cried one night. Imagine what sorrow can cause. Nothing inflicts pain in the heart and cause confusion as sorrow.
Mary Magdalene had visited the tomb of Jesus very early in the morning on the first day of the week and found it empty; after he was killed and buried. She ran and told the disciples and two among them ran to the tomb and found out the same thing; afterwards, they went home, but Mary stood there weeping. (John 20:1-11) What was so special about Jesus to Mary that made her remain at the tomb and wept despite the returning of the two disciples home? These two disciples were among the closest to Jesus, yet they were not as emotionally touched like Mary. Possible reasons: she has been forgiven much (seven demons were driven out of her by Jesus. Mark 16:9)), she saw all that Jesus went through on the cross and even where he was buried. Whether these were the reasons or not, what is important is, Jesus meant so much to Mary. The crucifixion of Jesus was a sting to her soul, and more so he was unjustly killed.
As Mary stood there crying, she saw two angels where the body of Jesus had laid, and they asked her, “woman, why are you weeping”? She said, “because they have taken my Lord and I do not know where they have laid him”. As she was talking she turned, and behold there was Jesus, and he also asked her, “woman, why are you weeping?” “ Whom are you seeking?” She supposes it was a gardener and she said to him, “Sir if you have carried him away tell me where you have laid him…”. As she said that, Jesus said to her “Mary!” and she recognised Jesus. At once her sorrow turned to joy and she said: “Rabboni” ( which means teacher). John 20:12-15.
Dear reader, when you find yourself in a devastating moment, when everywhere becomes dark where do you run to? Do you begin to apportion blames or seek to know the cause? In such moments anyone can easily be tempted to do anything crazy like I did. When we are faced with difficult moments we are tempted to feel as if Jesus has been taken away from us such that even when he is speaking to us we cannot recognise his voice anymore. In such times even though Jesus is right beside us, yet we feel very lonely and stranded.
Have you ever felt like that? I have, on many occasions. Perhaps you may be experiencing a moment of that nature at the time of reading this article, I wish to assure you that no one has taken Jesus away, he is right beside you. Would you listen carefully to hear him as he calls you by your name? He wants to tell you that you should weep no more because he has risen and he is there to comfort you and give you hope again.
Do You feel your own case is different or that you are not worthy for Jesus to call you by name? Remember the adulterous woman who was about to be stoned to death by the Jews? Jesus saved her and told her to go and sin no more.(John 8:1-11) .What about the woman with the issue of blood who touched the hem of the garment of Jesus and got healed? In the midst of the crowd Jesus located her and told her, “be of good cheer daughter, your faith has made you well”. (Mat.9:20-22). Can you also recall the story of Mary and her sister Martha, when they lost their brother and how Jesus also wept, even though he knew he was going to raise him to life? What can be comforting as Jesus weeping along with you, not because he lacks the solution to your problem but because he wants you to know that he knows what you are passing through and he cares.
Dear reader, be assured that Jesus knows you by name, he identifies you amidst the crowd, and he knows what you are passing through. He is there to weep with you, to cheer you and to resurrect your hope to live. Therefore, weep no more!
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