CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Wednesday, June 1st, 2016
2 Samuel 18:1-19:10
John 20:1-31
Psalm 119:153-176
Proverbs 16:14-15
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1nEh7pQ
Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. – Jn 20:11-12
Mary was the first one to the tomb on Sunday morning. “Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early” (v 1) likely means the fourth watch of the night, which was between 3am and 6am. Jesus was a Man who loved to rise early to pray, and God is a God who moves early. Those who rise early and seek Him out see what He is up to first!
Mary was the last one to leave the empty tomb. John and Simon Peter entered the tomb, saw that Jesus was no longer there, and “…went away again to their own homes” (v 10). But Mary stood outside the tomb and wept. She was so hungry for Jesus’ presence that she was moved to tears and would not budge. She refused to simply go back to her normal life without hearing from God.
Her persistence was rewarded. When she looked the first time, the tomb was empty; but when she looked again, two angels greeted her. Then, turning around, she met Jesus face to face. She got the encounter she was looking for!
Mary was the first to arrive at the tomb, and the last to leave. Her hunger was rewarded with a face-to-face encounter with Jesus before anyone else knew He was raised from the dead. She was the first human being to find out about the Resurrection! How will God reward your hunger?
Prayer:
Father, make me hungry! I want to seek Your presence early in the morning, when everyone else is still asleep. I want to linger in Your presence after everyone else has gone home. Make me more hungry for Your presence than ever!
Archives
See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-152-the-mule/
See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-152-your-wounds/
© Michael D. White, 2016. All rights reserved.