Rejuvenation
Mary Magdalene Finds An Empty Tomb

Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?

Sunday April 9, 2023 - Pastor Wungreiso Valui

John 20

THE MESSAGE

I would like to share a message with you about the Resurrection of Jesus, which represents God's unwavering faithfulness towards Jesus and His everlasting love for His people. The significance of the Resurrection message lies in the transformational journey from emptiness to self-discovery and to fullness.

THE SCRIPTURE

Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.... But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" -John 20:1-2, 11-15a

THE RESURRECTION

1. The Resurrection is the expression of God's unwavering faithfulness towards Jesus and to all God's children.
2. Nothing that belongs to God will ever be wasted.
3. Whatever belongs to God is safeguarded and will never be lost.

Although Jesus had foretold of His death and resurrection beforehand, the Resurrection still came as a surprise to His followers.

Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again to their own homes. -John 20:8-10

The Resurrection does not serve as a resolution to our concerns about mortality, dying, and death, nor does it represent a blissful conclusion to the challenges we face throughout our lives.

The Resurrection demonstrates to us that love triumphs over death. Resurrection is the ultimate spiritual rejuvenation.

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. -Romans 8:11

The transformational journey is from emptiness to self-discovery to fullness.

EMPTINESS

Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. (v. 1)

1. The story of Mary Magdalene is a powerful example of unwavering faith in the face of difficult circumstances.
2. According to Scripture, Mary Magdalene was delivered from seven demons by Jesus Christ when they first met. After this encounter, Mary became one of his devoted followers, along with other women. (Luke 8:1-3)
3. Her loyalty to Jesus was demonstrated when she remained by his side during his crucifixion and later when she went to the tomb to anoint his body with spices.
4. Mary Magdalene is recognized in many circles as the first evangelist.

Being a follower of Jesus Christ can come with challenges and difficulties. As Christians, we, too, will be the target of ridicule and distrust, but we must hold onto the truth. Jesus is worth it.

"They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb."

1. Empty: At first glance, emptiness and fullness are diametrically opposed. However, in the realm of spirituality, this is not necessarily the case. In fact, by emptying ourselves for God we can experience the true fulfillment of our deepest desires.
2. To receive the fullness of life from God, it is necessary to completely empty the cups of our lives.
3. Jesus exemplified this on the cross, where the moment of complete emptiness and complete fullness became one.

Challenge: Can we follow Jesus in his footsteps? Jesus asks, "Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?" (Matthew 20:22). If we are willing to empty ourselves for God, we too can experience the fullness of life that He offers.

Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. (v. 14)

1. Self-emptying does not require us to engage in self-punishment or excessive self-examination. Rather, it involves paying attention to others in a way that encourages them to recognize their own worth.
2. This can be challenging, as we often feel insecure about our own values and crave affirmation. We may find it difficult to resist the temptation to draw attention to ourselves by sharing our own experiences or shifting the conversation toward our own interests.
3. True self-emptying involves making others the center of our attention and embracing their interests as our own. While difficult, this form of self-emptying allows us to connect with others on a deeper level and recognize their unique value.

"By revealing the unique gifts of the other, we learn to empty ourselves." Henri Nouwen in Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life (New York: Image Doubleday, 1983, p. 79)

Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" (v. 15a)

1. Weeping and seeking can also be a metaphor for the process of personal growth and transformation.
2. Weeping can represent a recognition of one's own vulnerabilities and limitations.
3. Seeking can represent a desire to overcome these challenges and become a better person.

She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, "Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to Him, "Rabboni!" (which is to say, Teacher). -John 20:15b-16

SELF-DISCOVERY

We have heard the story of the encounter between Jesus and Mary of Magdala.

"Sir, if You have carried Him away..."

The Joy of Being Heard

1. Jesus heard Mary. The joy of being heard can be a powerful experience. Being heard can provide a sense of validation, connection, and belonging.
2. Being heard can also help us process and make sense of our experiences, and it can facilitate deeper and more meaningful communication and relationships.

Jesus says, "Mary."

The Joy of Belonging

1. When Jesus addresses Mary by name, He speaks to her entire being and communicates a sense of unconditional love. She experiences the profound realization that she is fully known and fully loved.

What About Us?

1. Do you have a fear of being fully known?
2. Do you believe that you are loved only to the extent that you remain partially unknown?
3. Do you worry that the love you receive is conditional?

Sometimes you may even convince yourself that if others truly knew you, they would not love you.

She turned and said to Him, "Rabboni!"

1. Liberation from fear paves the way for personal exploration and growth.
2. The boundary between what she is comfortable revealing and what she feels apprehensive about exposing is now nonexistent.

The Joy of Being Seen

1. Mary experiences a sense of complete acknowledgment and recognizes that the gaze upon her is one that is forgiving, merciful, loving and accepting of her without conditions.

The Joy of Being Valued

1. To be entirely understood and unconditionally cherished simultaneously is an incredible delight! This feeling arises from being connected to God through Jesus and feeling entirely secure and liberated.

The Joy of Being Known

1. "I desire to be known." Being recognized and acknowledged by others can evoke positive emotions and a sense of validation, which can be a fulfilling experience.
2. Demonstrating interest in other people is a wonderful expression of kindness and generosity, but it requires letting go of one's ego through selflessness. Although this may sound simple, it is often easier said than done.

Our quest to find, know, and love God can be challenging. However, amidst this journey, we may come to the realization that all along, it is God who has been seeking us, desiring to know us intimately, and yearning to love us unconditionally.

The focus should not be on how I can find God but rather on how God can find me.

1. Mary was at the right place: Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark.

The focus should not be on how I can love God but rather on how God can love me.

1. Mary was seeking the right thing: Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?"

The focus should not be on how I can know God but rather on how God can know me.

1. Mary was asking the right thing: Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to Him, "Rabboni!" (which is to say, Teacher).

Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her. -John 20:17-18

FULLNESS

Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to Me..."

1. The resurrection of Jesus was a hidden event. The most significant supernatural event went unnoticed by the world.
2. The event remained hidden from the world at large. This concealed occurrence ultimately broke the chains of death and liberated humanity.

Do you think Jesus rose from the grave to baffle His opponents, to make a victory statement or to prove to those who crucified Him that He was right after all?

"...but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.'"

1. The resurrection of Jesus served as a symbol to His devoted followers, affirming that God's boundless love transcends even death itself.
2. He communicated to those who had remained faithful to Him that his purpose had been accomplished.
3. He also entrusted those who had shared in His work with the holy responsibility of inviting others to join in the journey towards a new life with Him.

Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.

1. The initial group of faithful men and women, having personally encountered Jesus' illuminating love that shed light on the dark corners of their hearts and minds, started to spread their faith, hope and love like wildfire.
2. This radiant love began to reach even the bleakest and obscurest parts of the human experience.

REFLECTION: Though much appeared the same, everything had transformed.

1. "Resurrection was an event for the friends of Jesus, for those who had known Him, listened to Him, and believed in Him. It was a very intimate event: Mary Magdalene heard her name called. John and Peter saw the empty grave. Jesus' friends felt their hearts burn in encounters that find expression in the remarkable words, 'He is risen.'" (Henri Nouwen in The Road to Daybreak).
2. With the combination of a word here, a gesture there, and a gradual awakening to something new taking place--though small and often overlooked--the potential for changing the very course of the world began to emerge.
3. Every action we take can eventually lead to a passionate response, but the outcome is beyond our control. This enigma of work, love, friendship and community involves waiting as we anticipate the responses and reactions of others.
4. Waiting can be likened to being acted upon by others, as we are often subject to circumstances beyond our control during periods of waiting.
5. When we permit ourselves to experience and acknowledge fully how we are being influenced and impacted, we open ourselves up to a newfound life that we may have previously been unaware of.

DAILY TAKEAWAYS

1. God's love towards you is steadfast and unwavering.
2. The Spirit of God, Who raised Jesus from the dead, dwells in you.
3. The Holy Spirit will be with you in your transformational journey from emptiness to self-discovery to fullness.
4. Resurrection is the ultimate spiritual rejuvenation.