John 20:1-18

40 Days of John

Day 37: John 20:1-18

Mary Magdalene goes to Jesus' tomb and realizes Jesus isn't there.  She goes and gets Peter and John and they see for themselves that Jesus isn't there. They still don't understand what it means that Jesus will rise from the dead.

And then, as Mary is crying, two angels are with her, and Jesus appears and starts talking to her.

Mary is so busy crying, she doesn't even realize Jesus is with her.  But Jesus makes sure to get her attention.  He calls her by name, and she knows without a doubt that it's Him.  It changes everything, her entire perspective.

Jesus changes our perspective too.  Jesus knows us, and He calls us by name.

As I was reading, I noticed something about the scripture I have never noticed before.  Jesus points out that His Father is our Father, making us brothers and sisters in Christ.  Did you catch, the way He refines how we are called to relate to each other?

Look carefully-

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.

John 19:17-18

Jesus calls His disciples brothers, more evidence of the way Jesus changes how we are connected to one another, how we are called to love each other.  Jesus changes our perspective in our relationships.  He redefines who we are and to whom we belong.

A prayer for today-

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Jesus who comes to us in a manger to show us Your glory and Your truth.  I am so thankful that in You, I find joy and hope that is real, that is with me, that is everlasting.

Forgive me for trying to define my relationships with others and with You based on expectations.  Help me to look to You more, to love the way You love.

I pray for _________________ today who is desperate to feel You and see You at work in his/her life right now.  Come to _____________, Lord, and fill _______________ with Your hope and Your peace.

I praise You for the ways You are blessing us through _________________.  

Your works, Lord, are wonderful!

In Jesus' name I pray,

Amen

Blessings,

*This post is part of A Mind-Maker-Upper's Everyday Reading Project.  Click here to read more.