One of my favorite aspects of the bible is the that it is written for all kinds of learners. Jesus talked in parables and this allows us to really see what his point is, in an everyday type of setting. David wrote Psalms for the music lover. Another way the bible teaches us is through imagery. My favorite image of all times is Mary Magdalene clinging to Jesus after his resurrection.
John 20:11 but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.13They 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.” 14At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
15″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.”16Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).17Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ “
First I want to say, thank you Jesus for appearing to a woman first. And second, what do you do when you want information spread like a wildfire? You tell a woman.
Anyways, how many times in your life have you been in the midst of a crisis, you just don’t understand why things are happening, and things look very bleak. I know I have been there. Then suddenly the Lord speaks to you or gives you a revelation, that makes you drop to your knees in praise and thanksgiving. You want to be like Mary, where you say “I know I was wrong, I lost you once, but I never never want to let you go again”. I compare this to a “mountain top experience”. And if you are like me, I do not want to move or be moved from the mountain top.
This is not what the Lord had in mind during those exciting times.
Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father.
Jesus knew his work was not completed. Jesus gave Mary a gift, in appearing to her first, but he did not want Mary to be stuck right where she was for the rest of her life. Oh Lord, how I would love to be stuck there, clinging to you.
But the Lord gives us these sightings to give us encouragement and fuel to move forward from the mountain top. There is work to be done, people to share with, and encouragement to give others.
I think this is why each of us experience our valleys and mountain tops at different times. I can not begin to tell you the encouragement I have felt through the blogosphere during my recovery. I can see how others are being encouraged and lifted up in prayer. By encouraging words, people are helping others put one foot in front of another while they are hurting. Those of us that have had our faith spurred on, I think we as Christians, have a job of being a loving word towards others who are hurting. There are so many things that are wrong with the Internet, but I am finding so many things that are good. I pray I can move forward from my “God sightings” (and not stand there clinging to Jesus) knowing there is more work to be done before the Lord calls me home.
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Cannot agree more with you- on all points. Especially how we support each other. I’m glad you’re recovering
As many things as ARE wrong with the Internet, it was so nice to discover this one thing that is right with it - all the community and support we all give each other. Couldn’t have said it better myself.
Loved this post - every bit of it.
I pray I can move forward from my “God sightings” (and not stand there clinging to Jesus) knowing there is more work to be done before the Lord calls me home.”
I just heard a message that was about letting God “Spend Me Well.”
As God’s treasure, I think we long to stay in the chest, not wanting to be used and therefore leaving us the vault. But we were redeemed to go out and about, to be spent well wherever and however God chooses to spend us.
Thanks for this beautiful post Laurel. The reminder to go rather than stay is such a powerful idea to hold.
Beautiful, Laurel. It is one of my favorite things about the Christian Women of the Blogosphere, how they come together and encourage one another, strengthening each other and sharpening them.
This was a great post..as usual. This blogland of us sisters in Christ is an amazing place of support and encouragement.
Loved your take why Jesus told Mary not to hold on to Him…never saw it that way before. Thank you
There are so many times Jesus honored women in some way. I wish the feminists could see that. Truly something to cherish.
I love this. What a beautiful explination of why God allows us to go from the mountaintops to the valleys. I have never thought about why He told Mary to not hold on to Him in this way before, but it really opened my eyes. Thanks
Lol to why Jesus might have appeared to a woman first. I never quite thought of that! But isn’t it the truth?!
This community of women is one of the best things I have found and I am so blessed to be a part of it. It’s what got me blogging and I, for one, am very glad that I found you through it, Laurel!