In John 20:1-2, Mary Magdalene had visited Jesus’s tomb. Once she found the stone had been moved from the opening, she decided to enter the tomb, where two angels asked her why she was crying. Mary said:

“Because they’ve taken away my Lord,” she told them, “and I don’t know where they’ve put him.” (John 20:13 CSB)

Mary didn’t have to look for long!

Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know it was Jesus. “Woman,” Jesus said to her, “why are you crying? Who is it that you’re seeking?” Supposing he was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you’ve carried him away, tell me where you’ve put him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” Turning around, she said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!”—which means “Teacher.” (John 20:14-16 CSB)

Mary had a wide range of emotions while looking for Jesus. Grief. Fear. Confusion. Doubt. And now excitement. She is seeing Jesus! And He is alive!

Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount:

“Seek, and you will find.” (Matthew 7:7 CSB)

Mary was seeking Jesus, and she found Him. She was the first witness to the resurrection.

We can feel far apart from Jesus. We can feel disconnected. And our spiritual life can feel dry at times. But Jesus does not change.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8 CSB)

Even through the crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus was always God. And when Mary sought Him with all her heart, she found Him – her Savior and her Lord.

By Jason Grace

Jason is a software engineering manager. He and his wife, Karen, have two children and have been active members at Immanuel for over 22 years.