Thursday April 13, 2023

Today is Thursday, April 13 and we are exploring what the Bible says about the Risen Christ.

As I begin this time of prayer, I still my body, quiet my mind and slow my breathing. I inhale the joy and peace of God’s loving presence. I exhale the worries, troubles and concerns I have carried with me.

Pause and Pray

Holy and blessed Lord, I long for you to speak into my life and circumstances. Give me ears to hear, eyes to see and a heart to understand the good message you have for me today as I study your Holy Word. Amen.

I praise the Lord and rest confidently in his loving presence with the words of Psalm 139.

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139:7-10

Pause and Pray

This week following the celebration of Easter Sunday, we have been considering the empty tomb from the perspective of each of the four gospel writers. Today we read from the gospel of John. When the disciples hear that Jesus’ tomb is empty, Peter and John both start running. Athletic young men (as these fishermen likely were) sometimes instigate friendly competition. On the morning of Jesus’ resurrection there is an impromptu footrace. In his gospel, John records himself as the faster of the two and says he reached the tomb first, before Peter. All they find at the graveside are the strips of linen that once wrapped Jesus’ dead body. After the two men have gone, Mary Magdalene returns.

Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). John 20:11-16

In a tender account of caring compassion, the two angels and Jesus each ask Mary why she is crying. She mistakes Jesus for the gardener and does not recognize him until he calls her by name – Mary. She immediately recognizes the voice of her Savior. Whatever I am dealing with at this particular time in my life, whatever emotion I am feeling today, whatever concern is on my heart, I name it before Jesus. When I experience disappointment, grief, loss, confusion, uncertainty, fear, or worry, I can count on Jesus to hear my lonely cries. Just as he spoke to Mary, he is speaking to me. He calls me by name in the early morning sunlight of a dawning day. I only need to turn towards him. He is here.

Ask: When do I overlook the presence of Jesus in my midst? How often do I neglect to turn away from the things of this world and turn toward him?

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, when I recognize the emptiness of my heart without your loving presence, I cry for my loss and weep for my impoverished soul. I ache for the absence of your companionship and long to find you once more. Forgive me when I do not recognize that you are right here beside me in all my circumstances and situations. Speak my name so I can hear the voice of my Shepherd. I turn to you in love and devotion. I read the words from John again and listen for the message you have for me.

Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). John 20:11-16

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

Jesus often shows up in surprising and unexpected ways. Today, Jesus speaks to me about my life and I am learning to hear his voice and comprehend his direction. I consider how the encounter with Mary at the tomb informs my life and circumstances. Perhaps there is an answer to a prayer or a solution to a problem. Maybe God wants to help me get in touch with my emotions and find the comfort of his nearness and concern. Perhaps God is opening a new door for me and guiding me on a good path.

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, come into the garden of my heart and call my name in the empty stillness. Remind me of your loving presence and allow me to hear your questioning voice of kind concern. I am thankful I am not alone in this world and am confident that nothing could ever separate me from your precious companionship. Let me feel your love, joy and peace and carry it with me throughout my day. Amen.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

I leave this time of prayer, comforted by the loving presence of my Risen Lord. I go to comfort others in his name.

Amen