Pastor Bell's Words To Live By

When Mary arrived at the tomb of Jesus and did not see his body her natural reaction was to cry believing that those people who had wanted him dead now wanted to mutilate his body to stop him doing anything beyond the grave. This was akin to what the Royalist did to Oliver Cromwell who was beheaded posthumously in 1661 after they came back to power. It would appear that even when someone is dead they still pose a threat to those who survive them.  For Mary this was a real crisis, not only was the person who drove seven demons from her dead, his body was stolen to be mutilated by his enemies. Fortunately for her and for us, he died but did not stay dead. This was announced to her by two angels, viz, who are you seeking, why are you crying? they asked, (John 20:15). “They have taken my Lord, tell me where he is and I will go and get him”.  In Mary’s distraught condition she wanted to be with the corpse of Jesus, little did she know that Jesus was the one asking her questions. When the scales were lifted from her eyes, she saw and recognised that is was Jesus who was consoling her.  Today in your time of unbelief, anxiety and grief, when there seems to be no one to comfort you, just call out and ask Jesus to come into your situation by his spirit to bring comfort and peace.

It is OK to cry but remember that although weeping last for the whole night, Joy will come in the morning (Psalm 30:5)! Read and meditate on John 20:11-18.