Pastor’s corner

We may face doubt from time to time when we wrestle with theological issues, unanswered prayer, reasons for suffering and why the evil ones prosper. However, when it comes to the fact of the resurrection of Christ, there should be no doubt. The entire Christian faith rests upon the foundation of the resurrection of Christ as recorded in 1 Corinthians 15:13-19. Our faith concerning the resurrection of Christ is based on solid evidence, regardless of other doubts we may have in life. The principle is that if God can do the greatest thing such as pay for our sins, overcome death and defeat Satan, then He can help us with lesser things we face in life.

In the Gospel of John chapter 20 we note the post resurrection graveside events where four Doubters are short-circuited by their grief and emotions. The four Doubters are Mary Magdalene, John, Peter and Thomas. In this article we will briefly deal with Mary Magdalene’s doubt and see how the Lord helps her recover.

John 20:1 — “Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb.”

After the traumatic events of the previous week, the crucifixion and burial of Christ, Mary arrives at the tomb of Jesus early Sunday morning sometime between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. This is the beginning of the Jewish feast of Firstfruits as recorded in Leviticus 23:9-14. Jesus is called the firstfruits of resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15:20-24. Mary knew this and should have applied it to the empty tomb.

Mary Magdalene arrives first. She is one of the greatest trophies of grace of all time. She went from demon-possessed prostitution (Mark 16:9, Luke 7:37, 8:2) to a mature believer in a very short period of time. After her conversion she was one of the women who ministered to Jesus (Luke 8:2). She became a fantastic believer!

Mary notices the great stone has been removed from the tomb. She did not know it at the time but angels had removed the stone (Matthew 28:2). All she knows is that the Jesus she loves is gone! She runs to tell Peter and John and they come to the tomb. After Peter and John leave, Mary is standing alone weeping. She is overcome with grief and does not recall that Jesus told them He would resurrect from the grave. In her grief she is overcome with fear and doubts.

Mary sees two angels who have appeared in the tomb.

The angels ask her questions to make her think and recall what she has been taught, but she doesn’t recover.

Suddenly Mary turns around and sees the “gardener”.

In 20:14 the Lord Jesus is the person standing there, but she is weeping and does not recognize Him.

She only wants to know where the body is so she can reclaim it.

Mary’s deep love and respect for Jesus compels her to want to minister to Him.

Only when Jesus says, “Mary!” does she recognize Him.

She immediately clings to Him and Christ tells her to let go for He has not yet ascended to the Father.

He gives her a task of going and telling the disciples she has seen Him.

In an instant Mary moves from grief and doubt to great joy.

She recalls the resurrection teaching.

Mary’s doubt is removed by seeing the resurrected Christ and remembering His teaching. She then tells the disciples, “I have seen the Lord.”

Today our faith should not be based on what we see or experience but rather on what the Bible says is true. True faith is based upon the Word of God, not on emotional experiences. Believers need to put their trust in the teachings of Christ and rest in the peace He gives. Everything is under His control, so relax and enjoy the Resurrection Season. He Lives!

Ron McMurray,

Sheriff's chaplain