Why Are You Weeping?

John’s gospel was the last of the four to be written, between 85-90 AD, we’re told. He must have known there was already a lot of information circulating from Matthew, Mark and Luke about the life and ministry of Jesus Christ and about the details of His death. His stated purpose in writing this gospel was so that anyone reading it might believe in the reality of the unique person of the universe; the God-Man, and thereby receive eternal life (John 1:7, John 19:35).

John’s story began with the eternal person of Christ before the creation of the universe (John 1:1), and throughout his gospel he emphasized the uniqueness of that Person, demonstrating  Jesus’ qualification to be the only Savior of mankind. In John chapter 19, John took us through Pilate's struggle, trying to find a way to avoid crucifying the King of the Jews. He failed, of course, and finally ordered the illegal execution to take place. John reported this matter-of-factly, while making sure we realized that Jesus was who He claimed to be, and that He actually did die spiritually and physically on that cross. The two Pharisees who had come to believe in Him had the means to provide Jesus’ body a proper burial, and saw to that detail with courage and reverence. John didn’t mention a stone being placed, but he did tell us that it was somehow removed:

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. John 20:1

Sunday morning, the day after the Sabbath, before daylight Mary came. She had been among His followers and friends from early in His ministry. Her devotion for Him was deep and steadfast. The term “Magdalene” indicates she came from a place called Magdala. Luke 8:2 tells us Jesus had healed her of seven demons. Any more details regarding this woman are speculative. What we know is that she was present at major events in His life, and now was attentive to Him in His death.

….but the stone….said to be massive and sealed….had been removed! This was a shocking sight, which sent Mary running to tell Peter and John something was wrong. “They” must have moved His body!

So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”  So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes. John 20:2-10

“the other disciple” of course, was John, the writer of this gospel. Mary had announced that the body of Jesus was not in the tomb, and she was distraught, so they ran to see. John got there first, but did not enter right away. He looked in though, and saw “strips of linen lying there.” These were death-dressings, wrappings as for the newborn swaddling cloths; long, narrow strips of cloth that were wrapped around the body like bandages.

Then Peter ran straight in. He saw the strips of cloth, too, and the separate face-cloth, lying in place apart from the linen strips. This was a soudarion; like a sweat-rag or a towel which bound the face of the corpse. Also referred to as a handkerchief or napkin. This does not describe a blood-stained shroud.

We do not need relics of Jesus to know He is real. Whatever relics have been found or counterfeited to prey on the gullible or add to the story never seem to conform to the Bible accounts we have been given. The fact that people superstitiously keep coming up with those things just adds to the ridicule we Christians have to endure from a skeptical world.

We walk by faith, not by sight. Humans are easily deceived and easily influenced to worship tangible objects in addition to, or rather than, the Lord of Life. Relics do not prove the reality. The Holy Spirit’s teaching of our spirit does. The existence of the Perfect Word of Truth does.

…these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. I Corinthians 2:10

Actually, John, Peter and the other disciples had plenty of tangible proof of Jesus’ resurrection. Among the evidence were those burial clothes that had been left lying in place, and that separate face-cloth that seemed not to have been moved. It would take a while for the cobwebs of grief to clear from their stunned souls. They would soon see greater proof of life than empty death wraps.

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus.  Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).  Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”  John 20:11-17

The men had gone back home, no doubt to think about and talk about what they had just seen. Mary was frightened and sorrowful, and couldn’t tear herself away from the open tomb. On closer look, she saw two angels sitting there and they questioned her tears. All she could think was that someone had moved the body of Jesus, and how could she attend to it, not knowing where it was?

Turning, she saw a gardener, who also questioned her about her crying. “Why do you keep on weeping? Who are you looking for?” This must be the guy who moved the body! “Tell me where He is, and I will take care of Him.”

And then, He spoke her name. She knew that voice. His sheep always do. It was the Teacher!

“Don’t touch Me yet, Mary. I have to report to My Father. Go and give My brothers this message.”

John 20:18 - Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.