From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Tue, Dec 10, 2024 at 6:15 AM

Subject: 12-10-24 THOUGHTS

12-10-24   THOUGHTS

In our reading this morning, we have just begun the witness of the resurrection of Messiah, The Christ.  Some of the disciples, not able to comprehend what they had seen, “went home”.   Mary stayed and wept.  Jesus powerfully vocalized Mary’s reason for staying “ "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?"  She was trying to find a dead Jesus!  As I read, the “STOP CLINGING TO ME...” jumped off the page!  I’m not sure why that was so important, but this seeking, clinging woman standing in the presence of her RISEN LORD,  IS MOST POWERFUL!  Can we stand there with her for a moment, and contemplate the moment’s fulness?  Are we missing the STANDING, and the STAYING and the SEEKING, and the WEEPING,  and the  CLINGING?  Jesus will never say STOP again!   Matt 11:28   "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”  

John 20:10-18     So the disciples went away again to their own homes. 11  But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; 12  and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying. 13  And they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him."  14  When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.  15  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."  16  Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, "Rabboni!" (which means, Teacher).  17  Jesus said to her, "Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.’" 18  Mary Magdalene came, announcing to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and that He had said these things to her.

My Prayer:
Father, You have promised that if we will draw near to You, you will draw near to us.  In belief, we beg for that to happen in us.  Help us to draw near to You, through Jesus our Savior.  Help us to go into the world and say with power in love...  “I have seen the Lord...”   In the name of our Savior,     Amen.