Grief, Tears, and the Empty Place
When a loved one passes, grief happens. I have known people to grieve even when a relative was not necessarily close to them. There is just something about a person being gone from this physical world that hits many of us in crazy ways.
What I learned from the passing of my mom is that grief really is a strange thing. How one minute I would be going about my daily activities of life, minding my own business, then BAM, just like that, it hits. IT is hard to describe. It isn’t like the heaviness of when you are taking care of a sick loved one. It was different. It is just that longing to hear her voice, to see her smile, and, yes, even to argue with me. She made me laugh, and I could get her to laugh on most days when she was not well.
I can’t even imagine the pain, hurt, or grief a mother, father, or grandparent feels when a child is taken from this earth. The unfulfilled dreams a parent had for them. Many tears must fall. Anger may even happen. (We have a Prescription For Anger available. See Jesusrx.org or evapopek.com for details)
In my tears, Jesus cares. In my tears, I may not recognize that He is near. In my tears, I should be seeking Him and His comfort. In my tears, I know He can be preparing me for an assignment. I need to know Jesus lives. I need to let Him live in my life, and turn my sadness into joy.
Mary, the disciples, and I have much to rejoice over. Jesus did and always does what He says He will.
Mary Magdalene was a follower of Jesus (Mark 15:40-41). She loved Him deeply. She had been delivered from demons (Luke 8:2). She witnessed His crucifixion and resurrection. (Matthew 27:54-28:10, Mark 16:1-10, Luke 24:10, and John 19:25-20:18)
Mary went to the tomb where Jesus was buried. She was weeping. She was so sad and stooped down to look into the tomb, and it was empty. Nobody, dead or alive, was there. She couldn’t believe this. Who would take Jesus dead body? She wept, and then saw 2 angels in white, one at the head of where Jesus body had lain and one at the foot.
They asked, “Why are you weeping?” She said, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid Him”.
As she said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know it was Him. He must not have looked the same as before His death, or she was so distraught that she did not even recognize Him. I think He must have looked different, because two of the disciples He was walking behind after He rose from the grave didn't recognize Him either.
Jesus asked Mary the same questions as the angels did, “Why are you weeping? And adds “Who are you seeking?” (John 20:1-21)
Jesus cared about why Mary was weeping. Jesus cares about why we weep. He wants to know who Mary was seeking. I think that when I’m in tears over anything, I know God cares. He sent Jesus to us because of the many tears we will shed here on earth. For many, heartache and tears have led them to know the Love of God. As we seek Jesus, knowing He died for us and, better yet, rose to sit at the right hand of the Father, they see us. Jesus did not stay in that grave.
At that moment, Mary did not know that Jesus was speaking to her. She thought it was the gardener, since the gardener usually worked the hour she was in the garden. She thought maybe the gardener had placed Him somewhere else. She wanted to know where He was so she could go get Him.
Jesus said to her, “Mary!” Because of the exclamation mark (this is in the NKJV), I believe He said it the way I do when I need to get my dog Rosie's attention. I say it with force and authority. She knows the voice. Mary belonged to Jesus. He wanted to make sure she knew His voice.
Jesus called out Mary’s name with authority. She turned to him and said Robboni (I think she may have shouted it!). It means teacher. I’m sure she was so excited to see Him alive and talking to her. She wanted to stay near Him. Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father, but go to my brethren (believers) and say to them “I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.”
We are told she went and did as Jesus, her Lord asked.
Wow! She was so obedient. I wonder if she thought, “But Jesus, they won’t believe me. But Jesus, I just want to stay near you. But Jesus, I’m tired. What I just experienced is too emotional for me.” She no doubt was happy and did as Jesus asked. She seemed to know she would see Him again. She did.
I have no doubt I will get to see my loved ones again that know Jesus. He has a place for them and all those knowing Him to re-unite. Oh what a reunion it will be. Glorifying the Lord in truth and Spirit, not room for the flesh.
John 20:19 we see Jesus words “Peace be with you” and as He breathed on them, He said “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Peace be with you the common Jewish greeting is still used today (Shalom alekem).
Peace was Jesus’s gift to His followers by virtue of His sacrificial death on the cross. (NKJV study notes). As Easter time approaches and we remember His resurrection, keep in mind the gift of His peace to those who follow Him. Seek His peace when you grieve, joy will come in the morning. Maybe not the next morning, but it will come.
We have the Prescription For Peace workbook available. See my website Jesusrx.org or evapopek.com for details. We offer 5 week sessions on each prescription. If interested send me a message from my website.
I have been given peace that passes all understanding because of His promises. May you continue in His word and my peace abound in the midst of your tears.
