WHOM SEEKEST THOU?

Each of us are seeking for genuine and lasting love, peace and joy, in this world – a total transformation of our lives. World offers many solutions for the same. Yet, the void seems, not only to exist, as ever, but appears to be increasing by the day. Any efforts towards self-transformation are going in vain, since man is becoming worse by the day. So, the questions we ought to be asking, this beautiful Sunday morning is, “WHAT ARE WE SEARCHING FOR?” and “WHOM ARE WE SEEKING?” to fulfill that longing that is in our hearts – the void and the vacuum – and transform us – WHOM SEEKEST THOU? dear friend.

MARYAM MAGDALITHA [Mary Magdalene, is anglicised name of the original] was in search of solutions in her life. She found the solutions in Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
– “​1 Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, 2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons,” – Luke 8:1-2

Mariyam Magdalitha is…
– a disciple of Jesus.
– Jesus cleansed her of seven demons.
– She financially supported him in Galilee.
– She was one of the few who stood by Jesus at the crucifixion, and the burial. 
– She is the first person to see the LORD Jesus after the Resurrection.

Let us read the early morning events on the resurrection day, and see what we can learn from Mariyam’s life.
MARIYAM MAGDALITHA VISITS THE TOMB
– “​1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. 2 Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” – John 20:1-2

THE ELEVEN AND THE OTHERS DID NOT BELIEVE THE REPORT, BUT DISMISSED IT AS IDLE TALES
– “9 Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. 11 And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them.” – Luke 24:9-11

PETER AND JOHN WANT TO VERIFY THE REPORT GIVEN BY THE MARIYAM
– “3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. 4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre…8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed…10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.” – John 20:3-4,8,10

BUT MARYAM STOOD WITHOUT AT THE SEPULCHRE WEEPING
– “11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, 12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.” – John 20:11-13

MARYAM MEETS THE RISEN LORD JESUS
– “14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. 16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master…18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.” – John 20:14-16,18

THE DISCIPLES DID NOT BELIEVE MARIYAM, WHEN TOLD THAT, SHE HAD SEEN THE LORD
– “9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. 10 And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11 And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.” – Mark 16:9-11

Mariyam met the risen LORD Jesus because she stayed back. She was just as shell shocked as the rest. She was shattered on Friday, for the enemies of Jesus, killed Him. Now she was totally destroyed – even the body of Jesus is “stolen” away, by those very enemies. A dark, gloomy and utterly hopeless situation. Yet, she stayed back, even though all the others had left. What a reward she received, when she persisted to stay back, despite her doubts, fears and shattered hopes. 

When life hits us hard, and all that is visible is a dark, gloomy and utterly hopeless situation, where doubts, fears and shattered hopes become the reality of life, we need to STAY BACK, waiting upon the risen LORD, despite everything else around us. Mariyam was rewarded unlike anyone in the history. She became the first one, to not only see the risen LORD, but speak with Him, and hear His sweet, comforting and courage instilling voice, once again. All the dark, gloomy and utterly hopeless situation, where doubts, fears and shattered hopes now were turned in its head. She was filled with joy unspeakable. Her life is filled anew, with power of the resurrection, by the risen LORD.

How about us? “WHOM SEEKEST THOU?” dear friend, when life hits us hard, and all that is visible is darkness, gloom, despair and shattered dreams and hope? Would we, like Mariyam Magdalitha, care to wait upon the risen LORD, despite all that is happening in and around us? May the risen LORD fill us too, with His power so that we be true and dynamic disciples, witnessing Him, all our lives, in and through our thoughts, words and deeds. Even so, the LORD help us.