Description
Mary wept.
She had wept as she stood under the cross as Jesus was crucified.
She had wept as she watched his pierced body being taken down from the cross and wrapped in linen clothes with fine spices.
She had wept as his body had been placed in the garden tomb.
She had wept when, early in the morning, she had found the stone of the tomb rolled away.
She had wept as she ran to the disciples to tell them Jesus’ body was missing.
She had wept for she did not know where her Lord had gone.
Mary wept; her grief consuming her. It was like a pain so severe her body contorted, doubled over, unable to lift her head, unable to see.
She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him. “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?”
She thought he was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.”
“Mary!” Jesus said.
Continues…
Inspired by Graham Sutherland’s painting, Noli me tangere (1960)
Bible quotes: John 20: 14-16a, 17a (New Living Translation, Tyndale House)