What Would Mary Do?

This Easter morning, I am thinking of Mary Magdalene.

I want to know her state of mind as she approached the tomb in the darkness. Was she afraid? Was she thinking clearly? Was she tired? Had grief and trauma robbed her of her sleep the last two nights? What did she intend to do? Anoint Christ’s body, yes — but what else? Kiss his hands, trace the markings where the lash had fallen upon his skin? Say goodbye? Weep? Despair?

What were the words she planned to whisper into the cold, empty darkness that morning, as she wept over God’s body?

I don’t know anything about her state of mind that Easter morning, except that I know she wanted to be with Christ. Perhaps that was all she knew, too. Perhaps she had no other thought, no other desire, than nearness to him. She didn’t need to understand everything, and she didn’t expect answers — she didn’t dare hope for that.

But everything and everyone had fallen apart around her, and in Jesus’ presence she knew her heart would be able to rest.

If you have ever been in the midst of a crisis in your life and found yourself pacing the floors of your house when no one else is awake, muttering the words to a prayer you know by heart, you know what Mary Magdalene felt. In those moments, we do not always feel God’s presence. Sometimes, when we look for Him, we only see an empty tomb.

When these dark moments come, I pray you will remember the faithfulness of this great saint. Be like Mary Magdalene. Look for Jesus, always. You may not always find him, but he will always find you.

“She ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, ‘They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.’” — John 20:2



©LPi