Title [Easter Sunday] Why Weep? (John 20:11~18)
Contents
There is no sorrow more difficult to bear than the loss of a loved one in the sorrows of life. That must have been how Mary Magdalene felt that day. Her life changed completely after meeting the Lord. She could only be satisfied with the one Lord who loved her. But what is this? The Lord was nailed to the cross and died in a very unjust and tragic way. In spring, the streets of Jerusalem are covered with bright flowers, but in her eyes the whole world is gray.
She can't help crying when she thinks of the dead Lord. How could you die so tragic? Where have all the followers of the Lord gone? What are all those who have received the grace of the Lord doing? Even now, when I think of the Lord who died carrying that ugly cross alone without anyone coming forward, it seems that her heart is still heavy.
That day, God was also silent. All the disciples were silent. When the sinless Lord was unjustly hung on the cross and died, everyone turned away from Him. Even Peter, who had promised that he would never forsake the Lord even if all the other disciples betrayed him, cursed and denied that he did not know the Lord. She saw even those whom the Lord healed Himself shouting to crucify Him. When I saw people shouting to release Barabbas, not the Lord, I thought that the human heart was unbelievable.
The sound of the hammer driving the nails into the hands and feet of the Lord was like driving nails into her chest. How can we forget the tragic sight of the Lord who was crucified and covered in blood? I will never forget how the Roman soldiers mocked the Lord. And when she thinks that even the robbers who were crucified with her insulted the Lord, she can't hide her tears even now.
So she couldn't leave the side of the cross of the Lord even more. At the cross she continued to pray. “Oh, Lord! Take off this ugly mold and come down from there!” But the Lord's groaning grew fainter. Even the sound of the prayer that was appealing to heaven faded away. “Eli Eli Lama Sabachthani!” So the Lord died with a bloody final cry.
The frightening nights of despair and trembling have passed, and the faint dawn has dawned. The road to see the Lord was on Golgotha Hill, a scary sight, but that didn't really matter. But I was worried about how to get into the tomb guarded by soldiers and blocked by a heavy stone gate. I go because I can't just sit there, but the road to the tomb of the Lord was filled with sorrow, anguish, and tears.
But when she arrived at the tomb of the Lord, she nearly fainted. The soldiers guarding the tomb stood by and trembled, and the stone door was already open. What is this? Who was playing with the body of the Lord? Surprised, she ran to the village of Burinake, shook the sleeping disciples to wake them up, and went up together to the tomb. Even the disciples, who rushed to see the empty tomb, were puzzled. They went down to see what it would be like to have full daylight. But she couldn't. I couldn't leave the tomb where the body of the Lord had disappeared.
The hot tears, the tears I had been holding back, welled up again. Why do these things keep happening? I can't understand why the Lord had to die on the cross like that. And I can't understand why the Lord had to go through the humiliation of having his body stolen. She couldn't understand anything. She just sat there crying alone.
But then she wasn't the only one there. Two angels in white were watching her. No, it wasn't just angels. The Lord was there too. The risen Lord was there with her. “Woman, why are you weeping and seeking whom?” (John 20:15) The Lord Himself said to the tear-stained woman. “Mary!” (John 20:16) No, is this a dream or a real time? The Lord, whom I thought was dead, is alive. There the Lord lives.
Early in the morning, her steps to find the Lord's tomb were heavy. But after meeting the living Lord, everything changed. She used to go to the grave, but now she is heading towards the world. After confirming that the Lord was alive, she regained the meaning of her life. Living was not living until we had a full encounter with the Lord. I was gripped with anxiety and worry. But after meeting the Lord, everything changed.
So, what really changed her life? The Lord asked the woman who found the tomb of the Lord because he loved the Lord early in the morning “Why are you weeping?” No, are you asking because you don't know? You really don't know why she's crying? You can't ask so much if you can even fathom her bitter chest. But the Lord asked. “Why are you weeping?”
It was not for nothing that the Lord asked that question. Everything was there for a reason. In conclusion, it is not just about crying. “You are now standing in a place of glory. You stand at the precious time to hear the amazing news. But are you going to keep crying like that?” After hearing the glorious news of the Lord's resurrection, we must now get up and preach the news of the resurrection. In other words, we have to go to the people who need to hear this and tell the good news.
Those who have confirmed the resurrection of the Lord no longer weep. No more sitting still. She jumped down. I ran down as the first witness of the Lord's resurrection. And he told his disciples. The Lord Himself appeared to the disciples and said, “Peace be with you, as the Father has sent me, so I am sending you” (John 20:21). The Lord told his disciples to go toward the peoples of the world.
The Lord was there with Mary Magdalene weeping. When she ran to tell the news of the Lord's resurrection, the Lord was there too. The Lord confirmed that to her. And he confirms that fact to us today as well. Can't you hear the voice of the Lord? “Why are you weeping?”
She loved the Lord deeply. They were eager enough to find the tomb of the Lord early in the morning. But until then, it was death, the grave, sorrow and anxiety that dominated her. But after confirming that the Lord had risen, she was able to escape from that despair. When the early church heard the wonderful news of the Lord's resurrection, they began to gather on the day that the Lord was resurrected.
Dear saints, Today we stand in the place where the Lord was resurrected. In other words, we too are standing by an empty tomb. They all stand in the same place, but each may feel or react differently. Will you stand and weep anxiously? Or will you go ahead with joy and praise? The Lord speaks to us today. “My dear one! Why are you weeping? How much do you think I will let you go? What are you worried about when I'm with you?"
That's right! Now we will no longer be troubled! Now we will no longer weep! We, who have met the risen Lord, will be faithful to the end as witnesses of the resurrection from now on! May you and the risen Lord always be with you until the end of the world! (Rev. Seok-Gong Kang)