"Rabboni!"

Holy Week: “Rabboni!” 
                     

“Rabboni!” was Mary’s response when she realized it was her Friend, her Teacher, her Lord, who stood before her—ALIVE! 


In my previous Holy Week blog posts Jesus was joyously welcomed into Jerusalem; He shook things up at the Temple; He blessed children and healed afflicted; He taught about love; we saw the last supper, anguish in Gethsemane, and arrest; we witnessed His crucifixion and burial; now today, we see our risen King!


I hope you will read the accounts of the resurrection of Jesus from all four of the Gospel writers. In my book, The Lord has Need of YOU, I focused on John’s perspective, found in the twentieth chapter of the Gospel of John. 


I tell it like this:


Before the sun came up on the morning of the third day, Jesus’ friend, Mary Magdalene, went to His tomb. She was shocked to see that the stone had been rolled away, leaving the burial place wide open.


She ran and told Peter and John. They pushed into the tomb to find the Lord’s face cloth and linen burial cloth neatly folded. But there was no sign of Jesus’ body. Dragging their feet, the men left and went home.


Mary was left alone. She stood sobbing and looking into the tomb where her Lord had lain.


She could not stop the tears from flowing.


Something or someone was coming into focus. There before her were two bright shining angels—one at the head and the other at the foot, where the body of Jesus had been.


One spoke up and said, “Woman, why are you weeping?”


She replied, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”


She then turned and saw someone she thought was a gardener. The man spoke: “Why are you weeping? Who are you seeking?”

Still not recognizing Him, she said, “Sir, if you’ve taken Him away, please tell me.”

He looked her in the eye and said, “Mary!”

Then she knew! She knew that her friend—her Savior—was standing there—ALIVE!

Thrilled with surprise, she dropped to the ground at His feet and proclaimed, ‘Rabboni!’ which means teacher.

 

“Do not hold on to me for I have not yet ascended to My Father. Go and tell My brethren.”

Later that same day, as the disciples gathered together, Jesus appeared and stood among them. …

He showed them the wounds on His hands and feet and then said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”



He then breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”



“Go into all the world and preach this Good News to everyone—that all who believe in Me will be saved.”



For several days Jesus appeared to many people throughout the city, so there were lots of people who knew for certain, Jesus was alive!

The big question today is this, “Is Jesus alive to you?” 


In these chaotic days we’re living in, we need life, hope, and peace. Jesus is the only One who can give these things, in a meaning and lasting way.

He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6 ESV).  


Jesus is alive and I pray He’s alive you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please read my blog post tomorrow and see the very last event to this day of our risen Lord on this earth.


At the beginning of this week I encouraged you to read, in your Bible, about the last days of Jesus’ life. A lot happened in those few days. Begin your reading at these points: Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19:28, and John 12:12. Go ahead and read through to the end of each of the Gospels between now and Easter Sunday. Be blessed with me as we learn Jesus. 


Each day this week, I’m posting a few highlights from those amazing days in history. Also, I’m using some of the pictures and quotes from my book titled, The Lord has Need of YOU.* The illustrations are watercolor paintings by artist, Lesley James. 


Thank you for traveling with me through these extraordinary days. God bless you. 


Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version. 


*The Lord Has Need of YOU, by Connie Wohlford. Copyright Connie Wohlford, 2019, Hoot Books Publishing.

*The Lord Has Need of YOU can be purchased directly from me via email author@conniewohlford.com or through Amazon,  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1687536104/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

©Copyright 2020 Connie Wohlford

Why are you crying? Twelve reasons – one solution.

Why are you crying?                                    

                     Twelve reasons – one solution.



Why are you crying? Is it because:

-      your child has become a prodigal, wondering far from God?

-      you’ve received a terrifying diagnosis for yourself or a loved-one?

-      you’re overwhelmed and exhausted with circumstances of life?

-      you or a loved one is struggling with addiction?

-      the chaos in your home is out of control?

-      frustrations of world events seem unresolvable?

-      of fear that lost loved-ones won’t receive Jesus’ salvation before it’s too late?

-      your child is leaving home and you’re concerned about snares and dangers that lurk in the unknown.

-      your spouse has fallen out of love with you?

-      your financial situation seems hopeless?

-      you’re pregnant, unmarried, and don’t know where to turn?

-      your friend has betrayed you?

—just to name a few reasons.  

Internet Image

You’ve heard about the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. But, do you remember His first recorded words after being quickened back to life?



Mary Magdalene was the first to encounter the risen Christ. She had found His tomb empty and began to cry, for she didn’t know who had taken Him nor where they had laid Him. Bewildered and with tear filled eyes, she turned to go, when there, standing before her, was Jesus. But she didn’t recognize Him. 


He said, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” (John 20:15).

She still didn’t realize it was beloved teacher and friend.


Then He spoke her name, “Mary.”


Instantly, she knew Him. There He stood, alive and well. Her grief, anxiety, and tears turned to joy, peace, and hope. He was right there and concerned about her tears. And He had a plan. 

Internet Image

What are the things that make you cry? What causes tears to well up in your eyes? What thoughts cause some degree of anxiety to prick your soul?



Easter is approaching. Our celebration of Resurrection Day will soon be here. 


Let’s allow the truth and hope of Christ’s resurrection redeem our emotions from the downward pull of those things which bring us to tears.


He is risen! He has come to set the captives free. He is here and He has a plan.

For His followers, the resurrection of Jesus trumpets authentic truth. The sting of death has been eradicated and the grave will not hold us. And there’s more. In addition to eternal life, joy and hope are resurrected in us as well.


“Women, man, why are you crying? Whom are you seeking?”


When you come face with the risen Christ you have found the One you’re looking for whether you recognize Him or not. Listen. He’s calling your name—my name. He has come to resurrect life and joy. He’s right here.

Tell Him why you’re weeping—why you soul is vexed. He has come that you (we) may have life and have it in abundance (John 10:10). 


True story: Just a few days ago, I spoke with a woman who poured out her heart, with tears streaming. Her husband was chronically ill. She feared for the life and well-being of her alcoholic son. Her eight-and-a-half-month pregnant granddaughter, a drug addict, was in jail. My goodness! We can understand her tears. Any one of those situations could provoke weeping. 


This troubled woman was asking for prayer, turning to God for answers. She was seeking the right person. Only God has the answers to all her concerns and she is trusting Him to resurrect life in her loved-ones, as well as hope and peace in her own soul. 


Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 NKJV).


God created tears as a means of releasing emotion. But He doesn’t want our tears of sadness and fear to be the end point of our trials. 


Jesus gave His life so we may have life, both now and into Eternity. He’s alive—resurrected from the grave. Abundant life comes when we cast our cares on Him, confident He hears us and, when we do things His way, will work things out for our good (1 Peter 5:7; Philippians 4:6-9; Romans 8:28).

Internet Image

When we focus on Jesus and God’s Word our worries and fears tend to fade away. Jesus wants us to trust Him.   


As we enter the Easter season, and beyond, let’s remember Jesus’ question, “Why are you weeping?” 


When anxiety of any kind arises, lets tell Him about it because He cares. He loves us with unfailing love; He has the right answers; and He has a plan.


So, Rejoice! And be mindful of these truths during this season and all of your days. 


Thank you for reading my blog post today. Think of a time when God has helped you move from weeping to peace. Feel free to share your experience below if you’d like. Your comments are welcome. 


©Copyright 2019 Connie Wohlford