Seek the Lord

The message was brought by Rev. Sonny Wright

John 20:11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, 12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. 14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. 16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

In the Old Testament Hosea speaks of what would happen when Jesus would die. Why could others not know it? Why did Mary cry? Why did Peter and John not come back? Jesus shows us things every time we read his word. It just makes me cry. I am not afraid to cry. I spent most of my adult life not being able to. I’m now thankful that I can cry.

Everyone was afraid someone had stolen the body of Jesus. Even Mary asked where he had been taken. Grave robbers take everything. Jesus’ clothes were still there. Peter and John were afraid of the Scribes and Pharisees. Mary never left. She was after one thing–Jesus.  He saw her tears. He sees ours today. He sees everyone who needs him. The desperate ones in jail haven’t got much of anything. Lots of times wives divorce them. Children are taken. These are consequences to be faced. God deals with hearts. The Holy Spirit is in us as believers and helps us live as we should.

So Mary weeps. Jesus wants us to seek him. People I see on a weekly basis are seeking. It’s up to us to tell them about Jesus. Tell the world that he is risen from the dead. How else will they know? I wept when my wife passed away. Mary wept at the remembrance of his suffering and his death and now for the loss of not being able to find his body.  She looked in the tomb seven times. God sent angels to her. Peter and John didn’t see them because they didn’t stick around. God uses us as we stick with him in prayer and seek him. Ed told me last night that he hears me time and again tell people that Jesus is what made the difference in my life but until they experience it for themselves they won’t understand.

Mary didn’t leave. She wanted to see his body. She was concerned he’d been taken and asked the “gardener” where he was. I don’t know how long she had been there seeking him. How much time do we spend getting away from it all to get with God? We should want to do it and not because we have to do it. I wasted my life but what God has done for me now is the best life I could ever have. He changed me from the inside out.

What did God do for Mary? How did he comfort her? He sent angels. In times of our need he will send the help we need. Mary was there at the death of Jesus and now at the tomb. She would not leave him. When I got in need, God sent help. Mary wanted the dead body of Jesus and her gave her the live one!  Where is my Savior? Right here. He was right there. Mary only had to turn around and look at him. We need to seek him. Jesus told Mary who he was. And as he said to the disciples out on the stormy sea, “it is I; be not afraid.” Let’s just seek the Lord.