Giving Life to Dead Hope and Dead Faith

Giving Life to Dead Hope and Dead Faith

“He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.” (Mark 16:6)

Mary’s frame of mind – so far removed from anticipating the resurrection – is precious proof of the historic reality of the resurrection.  In the mind of Mary there was no soil in which hallucinations would spring - psychologically, it is absurd to say that she could have suddenly imagined the risen Christ.  Mary’s love needed more than an empty grave and waiting angels to stay her tears.

And then she heard her name: “Mary” (cf. John 20:16).  When Jesus spoke her name, Mary turned back again.  Her name came into her heart on the lips of Jesus just as a key slips easily into the lock for which it was made.  The love of the Lord Jesus Christ  has a key that fits exactly the lock you need.  He speaks your name, and He comes into your being.  He knows you by name, be sure of that.

“Rabboni” (cf. John 20:16). With that one word, we know that Mary’s faith and hope have been raised from their death.  But love has never been dead; love has triumphed.  When love is touched by Jesus Christ, it can bring life to dead hope and dead faith.

Meditation:  Does the reality of the resurrection enliven my hope and faith?

Further Reading: John 20:11-16