Mary Magdalene was with Jesus and the disciples during His ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection.  Her first encounter with Him was when he cast out seven demons from her.  After this she was a devoted follower.

After the crucifixion, the body of Jesus was taken down from the cross and placed in a tomb.  Mary went to the tomb the following day, possibly to embalm the body, and noticed that the stone covering the entrance to the tomb had been moved.  She immediately went to get Peter and other disciples who came to the tomb and confirmed that there was no body in it.  The disciples then went back to where they were staying and left Mary alone at the tomb.  

Mary was deeply distressed and alone.  She looked around and saw a man who she assumed was the gardener and he asked who she was looking for.  This was Jesus but she did not recognise him even though she spoke to him and asked where the body of Jesus was.

Jesus’ response was a single word which Mary did recognise.  He said her name – "Mary”.  There was something in the way he said it that immediately she realised that it was Jesus 

Her answer was a single word - "Master”. In this single word she understood

1. This is Jesus

2. He is risen from the dead

3. He had revealed himself to her even though she did not at first recognise Him

4. She needed to express her devotion to Him

5. She was no longer alone

6. She wanted to serve Him

His command to her was simple – "Go and tell my brothers that I am ascending to my God and Your God”.  He did not refer to them as his disciples any longer.

She immediately went back to the disciples and told them "I have seen the Lord.  He is Risen”.

We are spending more time alone during this period of lock-down. Why do we not spend some of our time seeking to meet with Jesus.  It is possible that we might not recognise Him but when He speaks to us we will know!  Our response will not be a carefully considered statement but just an admission that we accept him and will serve him as our Lord.  The experience of meeting the risen Lord will be so profound that we will never forget it and it will change our lives forever.  

Seek him in Prayer and see what happens – this is how revivals start.

Every blessing 

Ray