tomb where Jesus was buried it was still dark (John 20:1). Yet she knew an even darker hour than that. It was the time when Jesus lay in the tomb. The deepest darkness was on Mary’s inner life because the One she loved so dearly had been crucified. Mary was a disappointed woman. Jesus had been such a great Teacher and worker of miracles. All sorts of men and women had come to Him and their diseases were varied and serious. Yet no power or disease could stand against His word of healing. Even death was overcome when He spoke the word. Per sonally, He had transformed Mary's life. So He was the object of her love and devotion. But how bleak was her outlook now! She had expected such great things of Jesus. Now her best friend was dead. She had seen Him die and had watched the men bury Him. Now she had nothing left. She had no one whom she could trust with her life and devotion. How full of sorrow was her life! She stood outside of Christ's tomb, sobbing. The sight of the empty tomb and the discarded grave clothes had made His absence only the more painful. She revealed the rea son for her tears when she explained to the angel: “They have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.” She did not identify the Him. For her, there was only one Person who filled her thoughts— Jesus. If she did not know what had happened to Him, then there was great cause for sorrow. Sorrow had so completely blinded her eyes that she even saw a gardener when Jesus Himself cwas by her side. At that moment Jesus approached her. As Mary found, “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart" (Psa. 34:18). Our sorrow attracts His attention and brings Him to our side. As Mary rec ognized, Jesus is often nearer than we think He is. Darkness, disappointment and sorrow call out to Him; He never fails to respond to that call. A broken heart needs sympathy; that He always gives, for He knew what it was to be broken-hearted Himself. Jesus immediately asked questions which revealed why He had come to Mary. “Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?" Isaiah (61:1) tells us that Christ came to earth “to bind up the brokenhearted." If anyone needed comfort at that time it was Mary. And Jesus was already at work bringing consolation to her wounded heart. He had appeared to her to restore her lost joy. These are the first words that the risen Lord said to any human being. How integral a part of the Easter message comfort must be! As Jesus takes such a keen personal interest in our sorrows, they will soon be giving place to joy. Mary was weeping because her Lord was absent; but Jesus would dry those tears. There are many causes of tears today. Jesus knows them and will wipe them away. In the Book of Revelation (21:4) John describes the final scene for God’s people this way: “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes;
Brings Joy!
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by Gordon Chilvers
E aster is good news for any person who will listen to its message. Not least, it proclaims hope to those who are sad and disappointed. For all who are afflicted with trials and burdens, it speaks of joy. Soon after His resurrection, our Lord appeared to various people and groups of people who all had one thing in common. They were the despondent, the fearful, the doubter and the cheerless; a truly repre sentative group of people of all ages including today. Yet each person went on his way with a song in his heart because his problem had been solved after he had met the risen Lord. Mary of Magdala was one who felt the bitterness of sorrow. Once her life had been gloomy. But when Jesus delivered her from being possessed by seven demons, her life shone with joy. She had the privi lege of accompanying our Lord as He taught the people and healed those who were sick. But recently darkness had clouded her life. She had stood by the cross as Jesus had suffered on it. During that time a supernatural darkness had fallen on the land for three hours. As she approached the
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THE KING'S BUSINESS
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