MARRY MAGDALIN ...IN MASTER'S TOMB....??

                                          MARRY MAGDALIN ...IN MASTER'S TOMB....??

Praise the Lord . I greet you in the name of triune God.   

For Today’s short meditation please turn your Bible with me, Gospel according to John 20:1-18. Vs. 1, 11-13,and 16-18.    

        The central truth of this story is the fulcrum of our Christian faith and mission.                 

   Insignificant one for God’s Significant Mission

The background of the fourth gospel could be traced back in the various religious movements and philosophies like Platonism, Stoicism, of the early century. In the opening words of this gospel, John asserted full divinity and full humanity of Jesus Christ.  After three and a half years of glorious ministry, Jesus was crucified. He died on the cross and buried in the tomb. But interestingly Jesus resurrected and came out of the tomb, overcome all the human strategies made against His resurrection.

Chapter 20 talks about that great event, which is the centre of the Christian faith. Vs.1-10 talks about the Mary’s visit to the tomb of Jesus and found the open tomb. She reported to Peter and John about open tomb so they came and enter in to the tomb and see the linen cloth and napkin in the tomb. Then, Peter and John went back to their own safety zone!.

Magdala is one of the towns in the province of Galilee. Mary is from that city. Jesus had cast out seven demons from her, that time onwards she became his follower. Here I would like to draw your attention to Mary Magdalene who went to tomb early in the morning. What made her to take a risky step like this?

Mary Magdalene a woman of devotion and unparallel  love

  Verse 11-13, narrates Mary’s discovery of the empty tomb. The gospel of Jesus does not end with his death and burial. The best evidence for his resurrection is the empty tomb and his appearance to his disciples in various occasions. The word ‘But’ contrasts Mary’s behaviour with Peter and John who have left from the tomb. Only John’s gospel tells us about “weeping Mary” at the tomb. The Greek word Klaio  using for weeping means ‘expressed profound grief’, ‘violent emotion’, ‘loudly cries out’, etc. The followers of Jesus could not visit to the tomb on the Sabbath because to make the journey in Sabbath would break the law.

When male disciples were shut the door and sitting and chatting. But this Marry rush to the tomb of Jesus, she had a strong desire to see Him at any cost. She wanted to express her loyalty, gratitude and love to Jesus, her saviour. Once she was suffered by demonic possession .In Lk. Ch 8:2, we see that Jesus cast out 7 demons from her. According to Jewish culture demonic possession is the curse and they become out cast in the society. She was hopeless and isolated from the socio-religious realm. By the physical weakness, she was cut off from everywhere. But Jesus gives her hope and He made her something from nothing. He restored things what were lost in marry. Today she is not only free from the bondage of demon but also from the mental depression and socio-religious oppressions. Yes, dear beloved- these are the reasons of her love, devotion and gratitude towards her saviour. She expresses her thanks at the suitable time in an appropriate way.

‘There was a poor shepherd, who was unexpectedly elevated to the position of king. During the course of time he became prominent among surrounding nation by defeating them. Once he got a great victory. This king expressed his thanks and loyalty to his God by dancing publically with his servants. Seeing this dancing the queen got an angry and tried to stop him. Queen asked king why you are acting like a vulgar fellow shamelessly. The king answered to queen, “honey... I was not worthy to the prince of this nation and your husband, but by the grace of my God I came thus far...” Once I was nothing.. and neglected by my parents and brothers. I was a big zero before others, but my almighty lifted up me as a Hero” !!. He is none other than David, the 2^nd  king of Israel. Dear beloved in Christ I believed this is the story of most of us. This unshaken love was the driven force behind Mary’s early morning visit to tomb of Jesus.    Dear, what is our gratitude and devotion towards our loving God??

Marry magdalin symbol of courage and boldness .  Let’s see what were the things she had to fear about?.

femininity: marry was an ordinary woman .Even men are fearful to go in lonely cemetery in the early morning. No women dare to go in the early morning, even in noon time..? but here one women going a cemetery.

Darkness and Tomb also a great challenge:    No one was willing to visit tomb in this time according to scholars this dawn means 3-6 am. But she is willing to visit tomb at any time because her love and gratitude compelled her to did so.

Roman soldiers: in Mtt. 27:65.  Pilate gave a group of cruel soldiers for keeping the tomb and body of Jesus.

Big Rock and Roman imperial Seal. She overcomes all the above mentioned hindrances. She was not bothered about the consequences from the various places.  My dear believers, most of us are facing many of problems in our Christian journey. It may be economical crisis, sick, rejection from our own family or society. Let me encourage you that, only by the fearless faith and the help of the Holy Spirit, we can overcome all the stumbling blocks and problems. When we read Rom.:35-38, Apostle pictures certain things and asking.... who shall separate us from the love of Christ? We can see that, only weeping marry could talk with Jesus and angels. John and peter saw only linen cloth buy she saw the author of the universe. What is our response to God in various difficult satiations?              Prepared  by. Prasad Abraham valanjavattom