It Is Finished

M & M’s Written By: Laurie Klimple

John 20:11-18

11 “Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. 13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. 15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). 17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.”

In the preceding verses of this chapter, the disciples still did not understand the scripture about Jesus rising from the dead. It says they went back again to their homes. Now we see Mary Magdalene, faithful Mary, returning to the tomb of Jesus sobbing and weeping as she is looking into the tomb of Jesus. She sees two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where Jesus had lain. She converses with them and they ask her why she is crying. She explained through sob-induced words that they had taken away her Lord, and she did not know where He had been taken. She then turns around and sees Jesus standing there, but fails to see that it was truly Him. Jesus asks her directly why she is crying, He also asks her who she’s looking for. Why did she not recognize Him? She asks Him , “if you, Sir, are the one who has carried Him away from here, tell me where you have put Him, and I will take Him away.”  Then Jesus calls her by name, “Mary!” Immediately she comes out of her sob-induced state and declares, “Teacher, Rabboni.” She reached for Him, and He then said to her, “Do not hold Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brothers and tell them, I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God, and your God. (Mary, in reverence and joy  probably embraced Jesus’s ankles or knees before He stopped her). Mary Magdalene then went reporting to the disciples everything she had seen and everything He had said to her.

How many of us, when Jesus calls us by name, snap out of whatever has us captivated, to reach out for Him? Do we, in reverence and joy, go report to others what He has laid on our heart? Is our heart truly receptive to Him?

Interesting observations about Mary Magdalene:

  • Jesus cleansed her of seven demons.
  • She was a woman of incredible faith.
  • She was a female disciple of Jesus.
  • She was a true follower of Christ.
  • She provided financial aid to Jesus’s ministry through Galilee.
  • She witnessed Jesus’s crucifixion and burial.
  • She was the first to see Him after the resurrection.
  • She is mentioned in all four Gospels.

Mary felt the healing touch of Jesus. She knew something in her had changed because of her encounter with Jesus. Her eyes were seeing, her heart was feeling, and her mind was reeling with who Jesus really was. She became a changed person as she learned more about Him and followed Him closely. She knew that her life would never be the same. She was hooked on Jesus. He became her breath. What a testimony, what an example of true faith for me. She serves as a prominent example of dedication and an important role model of Christianity for all women today. As I was opening a bag of M & M’s candy, I suddenly thought about Mary Magdalene. I begin to relate the contents of each M & M to what she has taught me through her Christian traits, lessons, and example she is. M.M. exemplifies to me: to submit, to follow, to tell, to go, to share, to be in awe of, to be the first, to honor, to be reverent, to be more faithful, to be a more devoted follower, to be more determined, to show more love, to be more joyful, to be eager to disciple, to be a better listener, and to practice His presence in my life. M & M’s are sweet reminders of this woman named Mary Magdalene whose life expresses Jesus and her testimony for us to see Him vividly through her first-hand experiences with Him. She can truly say, “He has risen!” He has risen for us! He uses us to rise for Him and His ministry!

Father, we praise you for Jesus! Thank you for the example set forth by Mary Magdalene and Your purpose for her life that still resonates through Your Word today. May we be M & M’s to others that we encounter.  Lord, may we rise up for You as Christ has risen for us. Use us as You used Mary to share with others what Jesus has done for all mankind as You planned long ago. Father, may we glorify You in our worship daily. We love You. In Jesus Name, Amen.