Have you seen the Lord?

John 20:11-18 NIV - Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.

Have you seen the Lord?

I vividly remember the night I gave my heart to Jesus. I was attending a church event. The event was taking place at my high school where the local First Baptist Church was holding evening meetings in the gym. On this specific night, the minister was using a puppet to share the Word the God. I honestly don't remember every part of the message itself, but I do remember the minister at the end asking everyone to close their eyes and bow their heads. He then asked everyone in attendance if they would like to receive Jesus into their hearts. At least, that is somewhat how I remember that moment. The words he used may have been a little different, but I knew the Jesus he was referring to. It was the Jesus I had just heard about in the message. The minister then proceeded to tell all those who wanted to receive Jesus to lift their hand. I sat there with my eyes closed and head down, but I went further. I lifted my hand in response to the question before me. After a brief time of letting all who wanted to participate in the invitation do so, those who responded to the call were asked to come to the front where we would be met by someone who would talk to us. It would be this night at the age of twelve, I would be led to Jesus. I repented of all my sins before God and asked the risen Jesus to save me.

When I think back to this moment in my life, I understand where Mary was coming from both when she came to the empty tomb (20:1) and also when she proclaimed a risen Jesus to the disciples (20:18). I was saved. I encountered the Presence of God. And to this day, I feel and encounter His Presence continually. I rejoice in the knowledge that when I take my last breath on this earth, I will be with the same risen Jesus I encountered that night. I rejoice knowing that the future is bright. I rejoice knowing that no matter what lies ahead, I am always the victor because Jesus rose from the grave and He lives in me (Galatians 2:20).

"I have seen the Lord."

Mary had a unique relationship with Christ. Like so many in a corrupt world with all the sin and depravity abroad, her life was at one point totally wrecked with no future. Her final destination could have turned out quite differently. But during Jesus' ministry on earth in human form, Mary Magdalene had encountered Him in a powerful way. He had radically transformed her life for the better. In fact, the scriptures tell us that Jesus had cast seven demons out of her (Luke 8:2).

The truth is that many are in the same condition as Mary before she met Jesus. They live under the weight of sin. They walk through life without real hope. They are in desperate pursuit of lasting peace in the world that cannot be found outside of Christ. They need a lasting hope that endures through every battle they face and brings comfort during times of uncertainty. They need truth in a world full of ulterior motives.

They are searching, even though they may not realize it. They are not searching for something, they are searching for Someone. His name is Jesus.

The scriptures tell us this about Him (Philippians 2:6-11 NIV):

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

So...on that first awesome resurrection morning, Mary went to the tomb. Upon her visit, she noticed it was empty. The stone was rolled away and Jesus' body was not there. She turned around and Someone spoke to her. She thought He was the gardener. She inquired where Jesus' body was. But little did she know at that moment, Jesus had in fact risen just as He had said and He was standing by her side. It was when He spoke her name, that everything changed. She realized that Jesus was speaking directly to her. And just like Mary's encounter, Jesus knows all the right ways to get our attention. He can speak in a way that cuts to the core of who we are. He can speak in a way that shreds away every circumstance that is blocking you from pursuing Him. He can speak your name in a way that you have no doubt it's Him. In a moment, everything can change.

We know the rest of this passage as Jesus told Mary to go and tell the others that He was alive. She did just that. She went and told them that she had seen Him, and all the things He told her. She responded to the resurrection.

We too must respond!

If we have encountered the risen Jesus, the greatest response to being saved is faithful service and proclamation of the gospel through our lives. We need to be doing what Jesus told Mary to do. We need to be proclaiming that He is alive and well. We need to be proclaiming that no sin is too great, no circumstance too big, and no task too hard, that Jesus cannot fix. Our lives should be a continual vocal testimony of the risen Jesus.

But if you have not encountered the risen Jesus, you have a choice to make. In fact, you have the blessed opportunity of making Him your Lord. It is the most important decision that each of us will make this side of the grave.

Encountering Him is not hard for those who come to Him with a sincere heart. You simply come to Him just as you are. You bring every problem you have. You bring all the resentment you may be holding in. You bring all the heartache you have experienced. And just like Mary when she was looking for His body and He surprised her, He will surprise you too. He will heal the problems, break off the resentment, and heal your heartache. He will cleanse you of all your sins. He will save you and give you eternal life. And while things will never be perfect here on earth, we walk in peace knowing that one day eternity will right all wrongs and we will ever be in the Presence of the Lord.

If it's your desire to make Jesus the Lord of your life. Here is a simple salvation prayer you can pray so that you too can proclaim that you have seen the Lord:

Jesus, I thank you that you are alive and well! I believe that you came to this earth to give your life so that I could be saved. I believe that you rose on the third day and are seated at the right hand of the Father. I confess all of my sins before you. I repent of them all and ask for your forgiveness. I ask for you to save me, and be the Lord of my life. Use me for Your glory from this day forward. In Jesus' name, I pray."

Happy Resurrection Sunday!!!

Jesus is alive and well!!!