Mary Magdalene had lived a difficult life before encountering and following Jesus. For the first time in her life, she experienced true love and kindness from a man. He did not want to use her like every other man she had encountered. Jesus was different, and, as she followed Him, she came to understand what true unconditional love meant.
When Jesus was crucified in front of her, having been scourged nearly to death, Mary was there watching, waiting in shock and disbelief. (John 19:25) She, like all of His close followers, was in deep grief and every hour after he died seemed unbearable.
But everything was about to change. Resurrection Sunday would turn her grief and sorrow into gladness in a matter of moments, as Mary realized she was speaking to the Risen Savior, face to face.
All of us have undoubtedly experienced grief following any type of loss. It may be the current loss of a loved one to the Covid-19 virus, it may be the loss of a job, or the loss of ability to be close to family and friends. This season is filled with loss, and therefore, grief.
We must recognize that grief is not meant to destroy us, it is meant to transform us. Grief is not punishment. We grieve because we love. While we recognize that loss is part of our lives, we also know that we are not meant to live stuck in our grief. Isaiah 53:3 tells us that Jesus was a man who was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. Jesus was acquainted with grief, he did not live in it. Yes, we will grieve, but our grief is designed to transform us, as it did with Mary Magdalene.
LIVE THE STORY
If you are currently grieving, please take time to bring your emotions before the Lord. Ask Him to bring to you His perspective and His peace. He is faithful.
By Chip Whitman
Pastor of Care and Counseling