The Community Faces Pain and Joy
John 13:21-30; 16:16-24; 20:11-16 – Part
III
John 20:11-16 – The Power of a
Personal Resurrection Experience
Each of the resurrection accounts is eternally fascinating because of
the different details that each of the four evangelists chooses to
include. John records an exciting sprinting contest between
Peter and the beloved disciple. The
latter who was years younger outruns Peter and arrives at the tomb first. He instantly believes in the resurrection
account that the woman had given earlier.
Peter leaves the tomb in amazement but not necessarily with unrelenting
faith. These two leave the scene and
return to their homes. In contrast, Mary
Magdalene remains outside of the empty tomb; she stands there crying. As she grieves, she bends down and looks
again into the tomb. She sees two angels
seated at the head and foot of where Jesus had lain. They ask her, “Woman, why are you crying?” She responds by detailing the depth of her
pain and plausibly stating her bewilderment as to how she will live without her
Lord. Mary’s personal grief represents
that of the community of seventy plus persons who had signed up as foot
soldiers to the Jesus of Nazareth kingdom of God
Then, incredibly, Mary hears her name.
Looking at a man whom she mistakes for the gardener, Mary’s deep grief
and flowing tears blinds her to fact that she is in the presence of the risen
Lord. Wholly bereaved, she pleads for
the return of Jesus’ body. Upon hearing
her name, Mary realizes that the man is the Lord Jesus. She yells “Rabboni!” Instantaneously, her grief turns to joy as
she knows that death did not conquer her Lord.
He lives eternally. Like a new
mother who exalts over the new life of her baby, Mary delights over the new
life that the Lord offers to those who follow and believe in Him. It is after He calls her by name that she
accepts that He is alive. Attempting to
hold on to Him and never loose Him again, Mary grabs the Lord. He charges her to let Him go and return to
the disciples with the good news of His resurrection from the dead. Obediently, Mary goes to the disciples with
the news, “I have seen the Lord!”
Mary’s action demonstrates the difference that one genuine person of
faith can make in the midst of the anguish and despair of pain and loss. One person who truly believes in the power of
the resurrection can positively affect an entire community who may fall prey to
the temptation of believing that all is loss permanently. I imagine she honors those feelings by
sharing in their initial sorrow and bereavement. She probably shares some of her
disappointment and confusion.
Nonetheless, she encourages them with the truth and good news of her
direct revelation and relationship with the risen Lord.
Many of us know the depth of pain and loss. The losses of a child or spouse are the two
greatest losses in life. Natural
disasters like Hurricane Katrina or a tsunami cause the loss of people’s entire
material possessions. A cancer diagnosis
could mean the loss of quality of life or even life itself. A market downturn culminating in a recession
inevitably means the loss of financial stability and well-being for many
people. A recent mortgage crisis inn which
questionable loans were made to persons who were not yet ready for them
resulted in the foreclosures of millions of home and the loss of familial
security for countless citizens. In all
of these bleak and regrettable scenarios, people and communities preserve and
find new life because someone like Mary emerges within the crisis. That person shares the good news of the
resurrection and assures hurting people that God will transform their pain and
loss toward an unimaginable divine and eternal purpose.
Concluding Reflections
In today’s lesson, we consider three penetrating passages of
scripture. The first records John’s
version of “The Last Supper” in which the Lord rises from the table and washes
the disciples’ feet in the middle of a meal.
In so doing, He teaches them the significance of humility, service and
love. This triad of interrelated
characteristics also comprises practical means for sharing God’s love with
people who are hurting. Second, the Lord
teaches the disciples about the imminent grief and despair that they will soon
feel. Yet, He reassures them that it
will not last permanently but will change to joy. Moreover, because the world did not give them
the forthcoming joy, the world will not be able to take it away. Third, John uniquely records a resurrection
account that prominently features Mary Magdalene who instantly overcomes her
pain and grief upon beholding the risen Lord.
Combined, these passages remind us that there is always a divine purpose
to our pain. We need not fret as those
persons who have no hope. Instead, we
submit our loss, adversity, and heartache to God so that He may mysteriously
transform us as He changes it.
Essentially, pain is the most practical means for personal growth and
communal transformation. However, we
must always recall the good news Easter on a daily basis. No matter how dismal and despairing life
becomes, God in the act of the resurrection reminds us that new life is always
the outcome.
Three Personal Objectives
- Evaluate the
worth of the principle, “Pain is the touchstone of all spiritual
progress.”
- Analyze the
concept whether pain always has a purpose.
- Define ways in
which individuals and communities define and resolve their pain. Consider the resurrection as a means
with which to understand and utilize pain.
Prayer
Our risen Lord, we thank You for Your obedience to the will of the
Father. We are grateful that You
stripped Yourself of Your heavenly glory and came to earth as an atoning
sacrifice for our sins. We thank You
that Your faithfulness culminated in the resurrection. Help us, by the power and might of the Holy
Spirit, to recall this gift of abundant and eternal life as we experience pain,
grief and loss. Remind us to look to You
for resurrection. In the name of the
Father and the Holy Spirit who live and reign with You, Lord Jesus,
forevermore. Amen.
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