TEXT:JOHN 20:10-18
Key Verse: “ But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre” (John 20:11)
After the death of Argentinian, Miguel Guzman in 2006, it was reported that his faithful dog refused to leave the side of his master’s grave for six years. The German shepherd named Captain ran way from home after the death of his master. A week later, Mr. Guzman’s family went to pay their respect and found the heartbroken pet sitting by his owner’s grave, wailing.
From the passage, Mary Magdalene stayed back at the sepulchre weeping even after all the disciples had returned to their homes. She kept waiting! She had been early at the grave on the first day of the week after the crucifixion to discover the empty grave. Not finding the body in the grave, the disciples returnedperplexed, but Mary Magdalene stayed back to weep and wait any further development about the Lord until suddenly Christ appeared to her to confirm His resurrection and for her to be the agent to broadcast the good news again.
Jesus, from Luke’s account, was said to have cast out seven demons from Mary Magdalene. She later served with other women in providing for and supporting Christ and His disciples in their ministry (Luke 8:2,3). She lived her life in full gratitude to the Lord. The love of God showed to her constrained her to love so much.
The question now is, how much is your love for the Master? When goings get tough and many fellow believers around you lose their love and patience and decide to call it quits, will you stand and maintain your loyalty to Him? The Bible predicts that in the last days, the love of many shall wax cold, faith and commitment will decrease with many abandoning their vows. Such evil days call us to demonstrate to the Master that we love Him by remaining steadfast in His Love, grace and commission.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:* True love for the Master transcends mere verbal professions.
COVER to COVER: PSALM 65-67; 69-70.
PONDER:
- The more the love for Jesus, the more the care and the zeal for the honour of His body, the Church v11.
- Deeper love for Christ results in deeper sacrifice/consecration for Christ's sake; and God in turn give uncommon grace and gifts v12,13. The impatient disciples did not see the angels.
- Uncommon persistence brought uncommon revelation v15-18. Don't compare yourself with others.
- The High Priest must first take His sacrifice to the real Holy of holies (heaven) to the Father. It is when He comes back safe that we know His sacrifice is acceptable v17. This is in line with the OT.
- The paradise Jesus went to, with the converted thief on the cross, was not heaven but just Abraham's bosom close to hell v17, Luke 16:23-25.
- The disciples of Jesus had the liberty of touching Jesus casually in His simplicity. This informed why Jesus gave reason why Mary should not touch her at this time v17.
- At times, Jesus can give a messages to spiritual women to communicate to the "apostles of God" v17,18. What a challenge and encouragement to women and a call to humility on the part of great men of God and spiritual husbands.
HYMN: Deeper in the love of Jesus
1 Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus
Daily let me go;
Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,
More of grace to know.
Refrain:
O deeper yet, I pray,
And higher ev'ry day,
And wiser, blessed Lord,
In Thy precious, holy Word.
2 Deeper, deeper! blessed Holy Spirit,
Take me deeper still,
Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus,
And His perfect will. [Refrain]
3 Deeper, deeper! tho' it cost hard trials,
Deeper let me go!
Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,
Let me fruitful grow. [Refrain]
4 Deeper, higher, ev'ry day in Jesus,
Till all conflict past,
Finds me conqu’ror, and in His own image
Perfected at last. [Refrain]
5 Deeper, deeper in the faith of Jesus,
Holy faith and true;
In His pow’r and soul exulting wisdom
Let me peace pursue. [Refrain]
PRAYER POINTS:
- Lord, give me an increasing love for you and Your body, the Church.
- Pray inn each of the stanzas in the Hymn 👆
- Give me more grace and hunger to strive for more of your image in my life.
- Pray for our women in the church that they will be delivered from everything encumbering their closer work with God.