Lutheran Devotional 20th April 2025, Sunday Message
TOPIC: Good News!
Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early … And she saw two angels in white … They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She … turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus.
Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to Him, [“Teacher!”]
Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.'” (John 20:1a, 12a 13a, 14b-17)
Of course Mary is crying. She thinks she has lost Jesus forever, and she is heartbroken.
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But then Jesus calls her name: “Mary.” And she recognizes Him! Of course she grabs Him—hugs Him and won’t let Him go! I would, too. But Jesus says to her, “Stop clinging to Me, for I haven’t ascended to the Father yet.” There will be plenty of time for clinging to Jesus in the future. Right now, there is work to do. “Go to My brothers,” Jesus says. Tell them the Good News!
And she does. And we do, too, every time we tell the story of Jesus to someone. We tell them how God loved us so much He became our Savior through His death and resurrection, setting us free to be God’s own children.
WE PRAY: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for dying and rising to bring us home to God in peace. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* How would you have reacted, seeing Jesus alive again?
* Will the disciples believe Mary’s story?
* When have you told others about Jesus?
Today’s Bible Readings: Judges 16-18 Luke 15:11-32
Lutheran Devotional 20 April 2025 – Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
