MONDAY, APRIL 20
TEXT: John 20:1-10
KEY VERSE: John 20:1
“Faith, like light, should always be simple and unbending”, says Martin Luther King Jnr. Mary Magdalene was a true symbol of that faith and who a committed and an unwavering disciple should be.
The Lord Jesus had been crucified and was buried prior to the compulsory Sabbath day that forced rest on all. His sepulcher was heavily guarded by security men sent by the chief priests and Pharisees to make sure “his disciples (did not) come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead…” (Matthew 27:62-66).
As it began to dawn on the first day of the week when it was yet dark, Mary Magdalene came to anoint His body only to discover the huge stone that covered the tomb had been rolled away. Unable to understand what had transpired, she went to report to Apostles Peter and John who also came, saw it and went back home. But Mary, who was determined to see her Saviour, stayed back.
The extraordinary courage and steadfastness of this blessed soul in defying all odds in her quest to find her crucified Master is reflective of a heart full of grace and gratitude towards a Saviour who had earlier delivered her from demonic possession (Luke 8:2) and saved her soul. God is never unmindful nor is He unrighteous to forget our work and labour of love (Hebrews 6:10). Christ is still calling His disciples to a wholehearted devotion and commitment to Him and His cause.
The all-consuming passion that Mary exhibited in seeking the Lord until she found Him must be the driving force that propels every believer to keep on following Christ at this present time so as to be with Him eventually in heaven (John 17:24).
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: When you truly seek, you will find.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Romans 1-3.
