I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. John 11:25-26.

For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the One who helps you.” Isaiah 41:13.

This day, so long ago, Mary went to the tomb early to tend to the body of her Lord and found the stone no longer sealing it shut. She went for Simon and John and as they fearlessly entered, 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. John 20:11-14.

How could she realize it was Jesus? He had been horribly killed and she had been able to finally come to tend to His body as one last act of love for the One who had healed her and taught her about God’s love. So much had been given and she wanted to give this one thing for Him.

“Mary.” v. 16. In her great distress, it was hearing her Lord saying her name that finally enabled her to recognize Him before her. And everything changed.

He is our Lord and Savior. How could any king compare?

Sadly, in 1 Samuel 9, what do the people ask for? What cannot compare. “No! they said. “We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.” v. 19-20.

Samuel’s sons, like Eli’s sons proved unworthy. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice. v. 3. Does that sound horribly familiar? Mary!

The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life – only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father. John 10:17-18.

Can you imagine being Mary in that moment? Instead of a body she would have wept over and lovingly tended, He is before her calling her name gently reminding her of what he always told her. Peace be with you! John 20:19.

Do not fear. Peace be with you. Follow me! I am the resurrection and the life!

Everything has changed. If we have eyes to see we will see how futile it is to hope in any human when our Lord and Savior is here. I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Revelation 19:11, 16.

And He calls a single name. Mary. By His presence, He comforted her and she knew everything had changed though she still lived in a land occupied. We all of us live in a land occupied. We all of us have this one great hope…though we die, yet shall we live…and whoever lives by believing in Me will never die. Do you believe this?

Don’t be afraid. Your Lord will lead you and comfort you and be with you always. Everything has changed!