Thursday: Jesus and Mary
Daily Lesson for Thursday 19th of December 2024
Read John 20:11-13. What happened here that shows why Mary Magdalene still did not understand the meaning of the empty tomb?
The last reference to Mary in the text before this one is her telling Peter and John about the empty tomb (John 20:2). They ran to the tomb, and she came back there a little later. After Peter and John inspected the tomb, they left it. But Mary returned and, weeping, lingered there. No doubt she had done a great deal of crying during the last few days. And now—this as well? Stooping over, she looked inside.
To her surprise, two angels in white were in the tomb, sitting where Jesus’ body had lain. They asked her, “ ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ ” (John 20:13, NKJV). Her pained reply was that they had taken away her Lord, and she did not know where they had laid Him.
Read John 20:14-18. What changed everything for Mary?
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Through tear-dimmed eyes, Mary turned and saw someone standing behind her. In words similar to those of the angels, the Stranger asks, “ ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?’ ” (John 20:15, NKJV). She thinks she is talking to the gardener and asks for his help in finding the body of Jesus.
The Stranger says one word, “Mary.” It was a one-word revelation that changed the world. Suddenly, the surprised Mary recognizes that the risen Jesus is talking to her and acknowledges Him. Jesus insists that she not detain Him, as He must ascend to His Father. But her task is to go and tell the disciples that He is ascending “ ‘to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God’ ” (John 20:17, NKJV). Mary fulfilled her mission. She told the disciples that she had seen the Lord and also told all the other details He had shared with her (John 20:18).
Read 1 Corinthians 15:12-20. According to Paul, what good is our Christian faith if Christ had not been raised from the dead?
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The manner of Jesus's appearance after the resurrection is both challenging and encouraging. In my human way of thinking about it, I would have expected Jesus to front up to the Jewish leaders with an "I told you so!" announcement. And then, visiting Pilate and Herod to castigate their decisions and preconceptions. What better way of announcing that sin had been defeated at the cross?
It is challenging because we would have loved a high-profile appearance that history chiselled into the arches of Rome giving secular credence to the story of the resurrection. But it is also affirming because the recorded instances of him meeting with named people after the resurrection were with people who needed him most. Mary, at the tomb, the discouraged disciples on the road to Emmaus, Peter, who had gone back to fishing, and Thomas who was beginning to believe his doubts. Those who were deeply centred in their traditional and cultural religion missed the resurrection.
I whole-heartedly believe in the resurrection of Jesus, but I am deeply moved by the understanding that our relationship with him is personal. It's not a matter of popular opinion, political trends, scientific consensus, or even church affiliation. Instead, it's a connection forged between me and Jesus.
In an intimate moment, Jesus call my name, "Maurice!" in a voice I recognise. I hope you hear his voice too.
Very, very amazing, that it wasn't even the two angels sitting on Jesus' empty place where He had lain when dead, which opened Mary's spiritual blindness about the truth of Jesus' conquest of His death. But it was when Jesus called Mary by her name that did it. I have never heard God call me by my name ever! But I have definitely felt God's Presence in my very soul, over and over again, when I do what God says to do which is recorded in Deuteronomy 4:29,30. It never fails, God always makes sure I feel His very presence when I do what it says to do there. Praise His Holy Name!
Amem! When He calls our name and comes to comfort our souls it changes "everything." Nothing matters anymore, but Him.
I have a question, Pilate made a decision not to save Jesus but to save his own reputation and position so he would look good in the eyes of the Jews. I'm assuming he felt guilt after that decision. If later he would have repented and asked for forgiveness would that have been granted? If we do something in order to keep us from facing ridicule or suffering and then ask for forgiveness later is that sin forgiven? If you are truly sorry for that sin.
Luke 23:34 Jesus said "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Those who prosecuted him, tore His clothes, pierced His body... They did not confess or acknowledge their wrong but they were forgiven by Jesus. Doesn't this include Pilate?
I’m no religious scholar, but the God I have come to know, will not turn anyone away who is truly repentant. We have so many stories of people in scripture that messed up badly, but turned to God for forgiveness and help to do better. The wonderful thing about God is that He knows my heart. The more I give my heart to Him, the more my life will reflect Jesus.
We don't know much about Pilate's later life, other than the fact that he was removed from his position by Rome, and later committed suicide.
The Bible says there is only one unpardonable sin. The thief on the cross did not have the opportunity to ask for forgiveness from the people he stole from, only from Jesus. He did not have time left on this Earth to make amends either. His faith in Jesus as the savior, sealed him for Heaven.
The devotional book accessed from your app Ellen G. White ✍️'s 2. Called 'Lift Him Up' for December 19. It is a how to, of our question of the day. I found it very helpful in daily life of how to exercise our faith and strengthen our walk with our risen Saviour.
"The child of God will not rest satisfied until he is clothed with the righteousness of Christ, and sustained by His life-giving power. When he sees a weakness in his character, it is not enough to confess it again and again; he must go to work with determination and energy to overcome his defects by building up opposite traits of character. He will not shun this work because it is difficult. Untiring energy is required of the Christian; but he is not obliged to work in his own strength; divine power awaits his demand. Everyone who is sincerely striving for the victory over self will appropriate, (that is to say take hold of the promise), "My grace is sufficient for thee""
I put in a text for you, of course and for me. This is another reason Christ died for us. My grace is sufficient for us. How Happy we should be.
2 Corinthians 12:9.
What good is our Christion faith if we do not actively take hold of it? We have the how to, from C.S. Lewis to Ellen G. White to Morris Vendon to Natan Brown, and most important the Bible. Yes I read Nathan Brown's devotion for December 19, 2025 this am. 'Putting Our Hearts at Rest' 1 John 3:19-20. Enjoy.
It was the sound of that voice that Mary instantly recognized. Oh that we would hear, recognize, and heed the voice of God speaking to our conscious.
Have you ever cried so much that you ran out of tears? I have. My mother suddenly and unexpectedly died in 2017. I miss her everyday. Shortly after her death I found a voicemail of her that I hadn't erased. "Hello son, this is Mom..." She didn't need to identify herself, her sweet voice told me it was her. I hope to hear that voice again when Jesus returns. Sometimes when I just need to hear her voice I will play that message and be comforted.
When you love someone, you instantly recognize their voice. There are many voices that I am eager to hear once again, but the one that I am especially eager to hear is that of my Savior saying, "well done my good and faithful servant. Welcome home!"
1 Cor. 15:13-14; 17; 19
”But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins! If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.”
The question at the end of the lesson lies at the heart of the Christian faith. Christians not only hold the hope of peace in their hearts and minds during life on earth, but they also embrace the promise of new life after death. While other religions may offer similar assurances, Christianity uniquely points to the empty grave – the risen Son of God, our Lord and Savior.
"The first harvest"
Ex.23:16 – ”Celebrate the Festival of Harvest with the firstfruits of the crops you sow in your field.”
"Israel"
Jer.2:3 - ”Israel was holiness unto the LORD, and the firstfruits of His increase: all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, saith the LORD.”
"Believers"
James 1:18 – ”By His choice, He gave us birth by the Word of Truth so that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.”
"The Holy Spirit"
Rom. 8:23 – ”And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”
"Jesus"
1 Cor.15:20 – ”But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”
(‘5 Kinds of Firstfruits’, website ‘Explore The Bible’)
Christians share into Mary’s joy of having found Her beloved Rabboni – not only would she meet the one she loved, but He told her that He was to ‘ascend to His Father and our Father, and to His God and our God’; our joy is complete.
Thank you for your comment may Lord fulfill our hearts holy spirit
The Grace of God be with us
As Christians we need to be familiar with the voice of the one who died for us , anytime He calls us we should be able be to identify the voice of the one we claim to love jesus christ,
God wants us to love Him with all our heart soul, mind and body. Mary's devotion to Jesus in the flesh and in the tomb demonstrates the depth of her love for Jesus. Lord, please help me to develop this passion for you by beholding You day by day.
The following song comes to mind :
When I first fell in love with Jesus,
and I gave Him all my heart...
I thought I couldn't love him more
than I did right at the start.
But now I look over the mountains,
and the places where We've been...
and He makes me know I love Him so much
more than I did then...
I keep falling in love with him
over and over, and over, and over, again
just keep falling in love with him,
over and over, and over and over again.
He gets sweeter and sweeter
as the days go by,
Oh, what a love between my Lord and I...
just keep falling in love with Him
over and over, and over and over again.
There's a hand that I hold on to
Through each valley and each trial
There's a shoulder that I lean upon
As I face another mile
There's a love that I can depend on
It's fresh and new each day
And with love my heart is overflowing
that is why I say
I keep falling in love with him
over and over, and over, and over, again
just keep falling in love with him,
over and over, and over and over again.
He gets sweeter and sweeter
as the days go by,
Oh, what a love between my Lord and I...
just keep falling in love with Him
over and over, and over and over again.
Also, let’s strive to have a Mary-like love relationship with Jesus, so that one day, whether at the time of our death or His return, we will hear Him call our name.
At the very moment we are almost getting discouraged, God appears and calls us by name. I might not hear Edwin, but I'll hear him by what He allows happen.
This scene between Mary & the resurrected Jesus is priceless!
I am amazed that Jesus actually did this for Mary of all the people. I didn't know that this incidence happened after Peter and John had actually left the tomb. Mary came back to actually confirm. In my human thinking, I wonder why she could not recognize Jesus from the word go! Mistaking Him for a gardener! Had he changed his physical appearence? What was the significance of the 2 angels? Where was Christ when John and Peter were in the tomb? The Bible is amazing. Any time I read it it's as if I have never read it before!