‘The Lord is Here’ John 20:11-18 - The Rt. Rev’d Jackie Searle, Acting Bishop of Exeter
When one of our sons was working abroad, I remember the excitement of going to the airport to meet him on his return. The date had been in the calendar a long time with a big ring round it, and David and I got to the airport ridiculously early. Then there was the moment when we knew the plane had landed and passengers began to emerge through the big glass doors. We were scanning, searching, peering on tiptoe through the crowd. Suddenly we see him, for a split second before he sees us, and then great joy, smiles, and tears; the hugs and happiness of a son returned, of coming home.
I picture Jesus waiting in that garden like that, waiting for Mary to come to the tomb (there is a hint of mischief here) waiting for her to turn around and see him, to recognise him, and anticipating the moment of greeting- the utter joy and happiness to come. But Mary, weeping, not expecting that Jesus is anywhere other than dead, laid in the tomb, is slow to recognise him. It only happens when Jesus calls her name. Mary hears his voice and turns towards him and is brought face to face with the most wonderful new reality – he is not dead, he is risen, Jesus is alive and standing before her.
I wonder how often Jesus is waiting for us, though we do not see him. How often he is standing, as if at that airport, longing for our arrival, but we do not notice him in the crowd. We too need him to call our name – which he does, loving and persistent, so we might turn and see him there with us, waiting for us, all along.
We pray for our world this Easter – that a world in need would hear the One who has conquered death, who calls us by name and who opens the gate to eternal life.
And may we know joy this Easter. Like children being welcomed home, may we know the welcome and delight of his love and joy, and hear his calling, always, into the life and love of God. Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
When one of our sons was working abroad, I remember the excitement of going to the airport to meet him on his return. The date had been in the calendar a long time with a big ring round it, and David and I got to the airport ridiculously early. Then there was the moment when we knew the plane had landed and passengers began to emerge through the big glass doors. We were scanning, searching, peering on tiptoe through the crowd. Suddenly we see him, for a split second before he sees us, and then great joy, smiles, and tears; the hugs and happiness of a son returned, of coming home.
I picture Jesus waiting in that garden like that, waiting for Mary to come to the tomb (there is a hint of mischief here) waiting for her to turn around and see him, to recognise him, and anticipating the moment of greeting- the utter joy and happiness to come. But Mary, weeping, not expecting that Jesus is anywhere other than dead, laid in the tomb, is slow to recognise him. It only happens when Jesus calls her name. Mary hears his voice and turns towards him and is brought face to face with the most wonderful new reality – he is not dead, he is risen, Jesus is alive and standing before her.
I wonder how often Jesus is waiting for us, though we do not see him. How often he is standing, as if at that airport, longing for our arrival, but we do not notice him in the crowd. We too need him to call our name – which he does, loving and persistent, so we might turn and see him there with us, waiting for us, all along.
We pray for our world this Easter – that a world in need would hear the One who has conquered death, who calls us by name and who opens the gate to eternal life.
And may we know joy this Easter. Like children being welcomed home, may we know the welcome and delight of his love and joy, and hear his calling, always, into the life and love of God. Alleluia! Christ is Risen!