JESUS’ LOVE IS STRONGER THAN YOUR PAST.
WEDNESDAY 3rd APRIL 2024
JOHN 20: 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.’ “
Easter is a time of revival, a time in which the living Jesus comes to you and calls you by your name. Maria. Miriam. Obe. Just enter your name. Your past is known by him. He knows your pain and sorrow. He knows your wounds and your sins. And how we become depressed and miserable. Look up to me, I am the living God. I conquered death. My love is stronger than your past. My comfort can heal your depression and sadness.
If Mary lets this get through to her, Jesus grabs her. She never wants to let Him go again. That’s how great her gratitude is. Her happiness knows no bounds. Powerless, she stood by the cross. Desperate, he visited his cavernous grave. But now she has her Master back again. Now everything is back to how it was before. Or not? No, says Jesus, Mary still needs to learn something. Jesus opens her eyes to the needs of the other disciples. They also need to hear the good news. Jesus gives Mary a task. A special moment, isn’t it? Her past no longer counts. Jesus directs her eyes to the future, she may be the bearer of a wonderful message. Tell my brothers that I return to my Father not as crucified, but as a conqueror of death. My God – says Jesus – is your God. This is the blessing of the cross.
Jesus opens her eyes to the needs of the other disciples.
PRAYER: loving Father, thank you for the miracle of the Resurrection, in which you free us from our past and give us a new beginning. Help us to look up to You and believe in Your power to lead us from darkness to light. May we, like Mary, fully experience the joy and gratitude of Your resurrection, and may we be willing to share the good news of Your love and grace with others. In the name of Jesus, we pray, AMEN