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.”
Mary was deeply grieved. But then the beautiful part of the story occurs - Jesus appears. But she didn't recognize Him!
At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. “Woman,” he said, “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.”
At the sound of her name from his lips, she realized it was him. Comfort flooded her soul. Many times when we are going through trials, we have Jesus present in our lives but simply don't recognize Him.
But Jesus is gentle with us too. In the same way He did with Mary, Jesus makes His presence known to us and speaks quietly to our spirits, reminding us that we are His dearly beloved child. As the hymn says,
He walks with me & he talks with me & he tells me I am his own
And the joy we share as we tarry there none other has ever known.
"In The Garden" is available on our CD "Joyful Harps Hymns" or you can buy the MP3 in our shop.
