[0:00] And if we take as our text for this night, verse 16, Jesus said to her, Mary.
[0:17] We have just read one of the most important passages of the Bible, for you as a church and for ourselves as individuals. The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
[0:33] And in the latter part, we see the response of his followers to these events, and that particularly of Mary Magdalene, of whom I wish we'd draw our attention to this evening.
[0:48] During Jesus' time on earth, he took the one that was blind and made him see. He took the one that was lame and he made them walk.
[1:00] Even he took the dead and restored them to life. And his followers, after the crucifixion, didn't understand how the promised one, the Son of God, how was he killed by men?
[1:20] How was he put into their authority to die the most shameful death of crucifixion? After all, he was meant to be the king that all kings would honour.
[1:36] He was meant to be the king that all men would fall down before and honour. The Son of an almighty God brought to a people, a people who thought they could justly punish him with crucifixion.
[1:54] He was such an honest man that they thought he was a liar or a madman. But what they don't realise is that this Christ suffers on the cross of his own accord, in order to redeem his own people and his own flock.
[2:17] And what we have before us on these pages that we just read, is a depth of love that you will not see nor find anywhere else. Here lies the key to the Christian faith on what is written before you.
[2:34] As the Saviour Jesus is raised from death. And it is for you to believe in him or not. It is a defining point for all men, is it not?
[2:51] We ask that his Spirit be at work amongst us. To allow us to see these things. And that our eyes would be opened to see the depth of love of Christ on these pages.
[3:06] And as we dwell upon the passage for a while, I want us to focus on Mary and the revealing of Christ to her. For simplicity, if we use the word she as an acronym, we can divide our study into the points of seek, hear and enter.
[3:27] All in relation to Mary Magdalene. So if we take our first point, seek. Matthew 7 verse 8. The one who seeks finds.
[3:41] So the Mary that we read of, what can we say about her? Well, evidently she has a strong love for Jesus.
[3:53] And it is definitely not to be described as a lukewarm follower of Christ. Even solely from what we see on these pages. As the agony that is expressed in the passage.
[4:08] As she mourns for Jesus and the thought of his body now being stolen distresses her. But she is devoted to him even after his death.
[4:20] And if we use the other gospels, we can paint a clearer picture. And we can strengthen this thought of devotion. If we look what is written in the gospel of Luke.
[4:34] It says that all his acquaintances. And the woman who had followed him from Galilee. Stood at a distance watching these things. And this is in direct relation to the time when Jesus died.
[4:49] And affirms to us, along with what we read. That she was indeed present to witness the death of Christ. The gospel of Mark notes in chapter 15 that Mary Magdalene.
[5:06] And Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid. This is when Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus lay his body in the tomb.
[5:19] So we know from these last moments of Jesus' life. Even when the disciples had departed from his side. Mary never. Mary remained.
[5:31] And so in the passage we find Mary in this state of utter despondency. She does not comprehend what is happening.
[5:43] She follows Christ to the cross and beyond it. She must have seen the lot. She must have seen the mocking crown of thorns placed on his head.
[5:54] Of the weakened and already scourged body of Christ. And the timber cross as he carried it over whelming his strength.
[6:06] And then having his wrists and ankles nailed firmly to the timber cross. And as I gather he would have been nailed on the ground.
[6:20] And then lifted. Which would have been mercilessly just dropped in a hole. That would have held him vertical until his death. She would have heard every strained breath that he made.
[6:36] She would have seen the blood empty from his body. And the moment that she would have feared beyond all. When life withdrew out of his human body.
[6:51] But longingly she remains till a parting was made. By the stone being rolled in front of the tomb.
[7:03] Maybe she was waiting for him to save himself. Hoping that the words of those who mocked him would come true. As they railed at him.
[7:15] Save yourself. And she must be asking in her mind. What of all your promises? What of all your miracles?
[7:27] And as we continue reading through. It says that the Sabbath passed. And for what agony that day held for Mary.
[7:40] We do not know. But all we know is that at first opportunity. She rises. While it is still dark. It is almost as if she could not wait any longer.
[7:54] To go to the burial place of Jesus. And go and anoint him with spices. As this would be one last act of love and honour.
[8:07] To the one whom she had received so much from. Because if we remember. This is Mary. From the town of Magdala.
[8:19] Of which we read of back in Luke. And also some woman. Who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities.
[8:31] Mary called Magdalene. From whom seven demons had gone out. You see Mary. You see Mary owes absolutely everything.
[8:44] To Jesus. She was confronted. By the power of Christ. And given back clarity of mind. And reason. Her belief was not just an outward confession.
[8:56] Her soul knew the power. And love of Christ. Who saved her from these demons. And now she cannot comprehend.
[9:10] How the man that she knows of in her heart. As my Lord. And who was her Lord in all things. How can he have been taken from me?
[9:22] And we don't know. What happens to her acquaintances either. The ones that went with her.
[9:34] While it was still dark. It reads as if she was left alone. In verse 10. Seems like they too have returned with the disciples. It says.
[9:46] But Mary. It's almost as if she says to them. You can go. But I must stay here.
[9:57] I can't leave my saviour. And she returns to look into the tomb again in wonder. She has a broken heart.
[10:12] An already mourning woman. Is now completely consumed by sorrow. And the presence of the angels.
[10:22] That the toughest of Roman soldiers. Fell as dead before. Don't seem to scare her. It's as if all fear has gone.
[10:35] Because her sorrow. Is so overwhelming. And we ask at this point. Have you a cause. To seek Christ.
[10:49] Christian. Have you a cause. To seek Christ. Well yes. There is a great cause. Because you know. In your heart.
[11:00] And you know. In your soul. Like Mary. That he. Is the one. That gave you life. Not only physically. But spiritually.
[11:12] The one that released you. From the bondage of the world. And maybe. Released you. From your demons. You know.
[11:23] He is the one. You must go to. For your daily bread. But we know. In our own hearts. That we fall away.
[11:33] From where we desire. To be. In our relationship. With him. And it pains us. To realise it. And we must say. Is our heart.
[11:45] Like Mary's. That longs. And has a longing. For his companionship. That owes. Everything.
[11:57] To Christ. Regardless. Of how. We feel. Sometimes. It may seem. As if. That stone.
[12:08] Of division. Has been rolled. Between your intimate. Friendship. It is not. That we can move. The stone. We have only.
[12:19] To come to him. And he shall. Roll it away. For us. And that we would go. With all the spices. That we can offer.
[12:32] And give him the worship. That he rightly deserves. That we would honour him. With our deeds. With our possessions. And with our hearts. As we seek him out.
[12:45] To seek him. And what about the non-believer. Do you have a reason. To seek. This Christ. Well yes you do.
[12:57] And you know you do. Because. If you've heard the same gospel. Being preached from here. As I have. Then you know. You know you need.
[13:09] To seek him. You need to seek him. Almost like the Christian. But. Your motivation.
[13:19] Will be somewhat different. Because your case. Has far more. Urgency to it. As we remember. That tomorrow. Is not promised.
[13:30] To any of us. And without him. What hope. Is there. If you seek him. With all your heart.
[13:41] You shall find him. But if you don't come. You will never see. The value of the blood. Shed at the cross. Nor see the empty grave.
[13:56] Nor indeed meet. With the risen saviour. Try any which way. You like. To find your hope. But more often than not.
[14:08] It is the broken hearted. That sees his need. For Christ. That is the necessary place. For us to start. As we remember.
[14:19] That. All our sins. Will condemn us to hell. Without. Christ. As our saviour. And Mary.
[14:30] If we look back at her. She went. With spices. To a tomb. That she couldn't open. She didn't have the strength.
[14:40] To open it. And she even wondered herself. How they would get into the tomb. Mary didn't even wait for daylight. Who knew what dangers.
[14:53] Were possible for her. As she walked. With valuable spices. Through the dark streets. Of Jerusalem. She didn't know. How she would roll away.
[15:03] The stone. And she didn't care. If the Jewish authorities. Seen her. She didn't have all the answers. But she went.
[15:14] To Jesus. Regardless. And it makes no sense. Really. I fear. That if that were. You. Or me. That.
[15:25] We would refrain. From acting like her. That. That we would. Say that we are wise. And. Say that. It would be too dark. Or too risky.
[15:38] That we would wait for daylight. And then arrange. Maybe for someone. To meet us. To roll away the stone. Almost as if.
[15:48] We don't have that. Burning love. Or passion. For Christ. That walks forward. Without all. The answer. That we would be relying.
[16:00] On Christ more. And not having it all. Figured out. There was a man. Called. Horatio.
[16:11] Bonar. Was born. In Edinburgh. In 1808. He joined. The Free Church. Of Scotland. After he was ordained.
[16:21] As a minister. In 1837. This is what he writes. He that loves Christ. Will long. To see him.
[16:33] The lover. Seeks. The absent. Loved one. The wife. The husband. The child. The mother. So. Do you. Your Lord.
[16:44] It is a mark. Of a disciple. That he waits. For the son of God. From heaven. That he loves. Looks for.
[16:56] Longs. For the appearance. Of Christ. May we move on. To our second. Heading. Here. The angels.
[17:08] Said to Mary. Woman. Why are you. Weeping. And again. Jesus. Says. To her. Woman.
[17:19] Why. Are you. Weeping. And would the answer. Not be plain. To see. Could they not. See. The overwhelming. Emotion. Of sorrow.
[17:31] That would have been. Visible. In her face. As she stands. Before them. But there is a point. Worth mentioning. Here. You see. If a Jew.
[17:41] Wanted to. Emphasize. Something. He would not. Shout it. He would repeat it. Woman. Why are you.
[17:52] Weeping. If the angel. Didn't know why. Jesus. Certainly. Did. But he still. Asks. It's as if.
[18:04] You were to say. To you. You have no. Cause. To weep. Why. Are you. Weeping. Why. Are you. So downcast. In your spirit.
[18:16] Do you. Not. Remember. What I told you. Before. I died. John. 16. Verse. 20. A little. While. And you will not.
[18:27] See me. And again. A little. While. And you will. See me. Truly. Truly. I say. To you. You will.
[18:38] Weep. And lament. But the world. Will rejoice. You will. Be sorrowful. But your sorrow. Will turn. To joy. He inquired.
[18:51] To hear. Her sorrow. In word. He knew. How she felt. But almost. Like a prayer. He wanted. To hear. Her say.
[19:01] To him. And at this point. Jesus. Could see. Mary. But she. Couldn't see him. Disguised.
[19:13] As the gardener. And is that not a way. Of how. We are today. That. Jesus. He sees.
[19:24] And he knows. He listens. To our prayer. So may we. Come to him. With all our petitions. And all our sorrows. For he is hearing.
[19:36] Although we cannot see him. But how does Mary respond. To his question. Why are you weeping? She says.
[19:49] Tell me where you have laid him. And I will take him away. Again. She is compelled. To act towards. Christ. In a way. That she didn't know.
[20:00] How she could undertake. The task. She was just as unable. To roll away the stone. As she was. To lift. A dead man's body. But it didn't stop her asking.
[20:14] See. That's what her heart. Is saying. She didn't know the answer. And after asking it. It doesn't say. That she turns away.
[20:26] But she does. Because it says. She turns back. When she was called. And it doesn't say. Long pause. After. Verse 15.
[20:38] But I believe there is. At least long enough. For her to cast. Her head downwards. And. Turn away. Almost in a manner.
[20:50] That she knew. That this gardener. Would not provide. A satisfactory. Answer. To her request. To her request. And I believe. Her eyes were restricted.
[21:00] In the same manner. As the two were. On the road to Emmaus. Christ was not. Revealed to her. By sight. It was.
[21:11] In the voice. That she knew. Her saviour. And what do we read. In John 10. Verse 3. The sheep hear his voice.
[21:22] And he calls his own sheep. By name. And leads them out. When he has brought out. All his own. He goes before them.
[21:34] And the sheep. Follow him. For they know. His voice. What would be the best. Words. That a lost man.
[21:45] Could hear. Imagine. Imagine. If you were lost. Imagine. A worst case scenario. That you were blind. And you were lost.
[21:56] There was nothing familiar to you. What would be the best thing. That you could hear. I believe. The voice.
[22:07] Of someone. That was most precious. To you. A voice. A voice. That you know. That you can trust. A voice.
[22:19] That knows. The way. And he is calling. Your name. And you know. Who it is. Because you know.
[22:30] Their voice. You know. That voice. When it is tender. And when it is. Angered. And you know. I wish. We could hear. How Jesus. Said.
[22:42] This. To Mary. How did he say. Mary. How soft was it. Or how loud was it. Did he whisper it. Or. Could you feel.
[22:53] How much love. Was in it. Because Mary. She felt. Lost. Without her. Her saviour. But now.
[23:04] Her cup. Overflows. At the call. Of her name. Because it is. Her most precious. Saviour. That calls it. It is. Her Lord.
[23:16] Who calls. And regardless. Of our own situation. Whether it be personally. Or collectively. As a church.
[23:27] We can easily feel. So despondent. Like Mary. When we wonder. At what is happening. Around us. She might ask. Herself. Why did some of the disciples.
[23:40] Leave Christ. At the cross. And why have those. Who followed him. Not. Been looking for him. Why are some. Hiding away.
[23:51] In fear. Of men. And we can ask ourselves. How things. Can be. For ourselves. Why are things.
[24:01] Such as they are. Things that we don't know. The answer to. And admit. That what we see. Before us. Can empty our hearts. And our afflictions.
[24:14] Can consume us. But. Would we not. Have the heart. Like Mary. Not to look. At what man is doing. Where he is.
[24:25] Or where he is going. That we would. Remain. Beside Christ. That we would. Seek him out. Even when we don't. Fully understand. Everything that is going on.
[24:38] That we would. Tell him. What is in our hearts. And that we would. Pray to him. That we would. Give our ear. To Christ. And hear.
[24:49] What he says. I pray. That he will. Reveal himself. To us. In all his glory. As. We can only.
[25:01] Do as Mary did. And draw near. And maybe we must. Wait. On the Lord. For a word. In season. But if you hear.
[25:13] Him calling you. Don't. Reject. Christ. Imagine if someone. Was calling. After you. And instead of.
[25:26] Walking towards them. You. Walked. Away from them. Imagine that. Person. Loved you. More dearly. Than anyone else.
[25:36] In this world. Could love you. How. How much. Would you hurt them. By walking away. Knowing that. You are hearing. His voice. Calling to you.
[25:49] But you see. The love of Christ. Is far more. Deeper. Than anyone. On this world. Can love you. And that we would not. Walk away.
[26:02] As we hear. Him calling to us. So maybe. Go to our last point. Enter. And we use the word.
[26:13] Enter. Because. Mary is the first one. To enter. Into ways. Of God. That had been so hidden. From the beginning. Of time. And yes.
[26:24] The disciples. Seen the empty tomb. And believed. But she is the first. To whom. He revealed himself. To. And so. Confirms.
[26:35] And enlightens. All that the old testament. Taught. The word. Made. He is loaded. All is revealed. In this word.
[26:47] In this name. This one word. Is the revealing. Of the glory. And power. Of Christ. And it is. The gospel.
[26:58] Given. Not just. To Mary. But to all men. He proves. His power. And glory. He proves.
[27:08] He is a trustworthy. Savior. Because he has. Authority. Over death. And so. Gives men. A hope. Mary.
[27:20] She went. With spices. To disguise. Death. But returned. With words. That declared. Life. Her heart.
[27:32] Her heart. And her love. It is so admirable. For us. Because she thought. That she was going. To a dead savior. And so.
[27:45] What excuse. Do we have. When we can come. To a risen savior. And yet. We feel so reluctant. At times.
[27:55] To give what we have. To give of our money. And to give of our time. And to give of ourselves. To give of our hearts. I believe.
[28:06] This Mary. She would have. Been. At every. Prayer meeting. She would have. Been at every. Church service. That she could have. Possibly. Got to. And that.
[28:20] She would be. Everywhere that Christ. Was spoken of. She is saying. If that is where. You will find Christ. Then that is where.
[28:30] You will find me. And is that. Not the song. Of her soul. And I pray. That it would be ours too. She went.
[28:42] To give Jesus. Her last words. But received. His first. Imagine. Jesus spoke.
[28:55] First to Mary. He didn't come. First to the. A king. And he didn't come. First to the chief. Priest. And the Pharisees.
[29:06] Nor go to Herod. And boast before him. Saying that. You will not kill me. No. They didn't. Really deserve it. And it wasn't.
[29:17] A stadium. Full of people. But we are. In this case. Let into. One of the most. Intimate moments. Of the Bible.
[29:29] He came. To the one. That was seeking. In him. He came. To the one. Who didn't know. Where else to go. He came.
[29:39] To the broken. Hearted. For we can say. Of Mary. On that day. That she had. The most sorrowful heart.
[29:51] That held to Christ. Most dearly. But received. The sweetest. Reward. Mary's. Heart. Finds her beloved.
[30:02] And her sorrow. Is turned. To joy. And she went. With these costly spices.
[30:14] But what she returned with. Was far more valuable. Like Mary. Who Jesus saved. From the groups. Of the evil spirits.
[30:25] Who knew the power. Of his word. In her life. And heard the saving voice. Of Jesus. To her soul. It was a voice. That she longed to hear.
[30:36] Once more. And do we long. To hear. That voice. That once saved. Our souls. From death.
[30:48] Do we have. The same heart. As Mary. One that desires. Above all. His companionship. And his loving voice. Speaking. To our soul.
[31:00] It is an intimate. Relationship. That Jesus. Has with us. And I wonder. Is there a Mary. Here tonight. One that is longing.
[31:11] And longingly calling. On Christ. To appear. Before you. Are you like Mary. And you cannot find him.
[31:23] And though you wish. With all your heart. That someone would just. Show him to you. That you would cry out. And say just. Show me where you have laid him.
[31:36] Show me where I can find him. And man's answer. Is somewhat empty. To satisfy your need. Maybe there is one here.
[31:49] Crying out. And maybe. If you have that cry. You may be standing. Closer to Christ. Than you think. That we would just.
[32:00] Be like Mary. And stand. Where you will find. Christ. Everyone else. Left Mary at the tomb. But she remained.
[32:12] Even though Christ. Wasn't there. She didn't know. Where else to go. It was the closest. She could get to Christ. That we would be. In the place. Where Christ.
[32:23] Is spoken of. Where his spirit. Is in his word. For the one. Who seeks. Finds. And the entry.
[32:34] Of Christ. Is most wonderful. To your soul. And there is. Promised for you. An entry. Through the gates. Of glory. And a reunion.
[32:46] With your Lord. And we will all. See Christ. Whether we desire. To or not. The restrictions.
[32:56] Of sight. Shall be removed. You too. Shall enter. Into things. Eternal. Now. But the question is. Will his sight.
[33:06] Be as it was. To Mary. To desire. To reach out. And embrace him. As it will be. For every Christian. Who will be restored.
[33:18] Forevermore. With our saviour. And be receivers. Of every joy. That shall be. So sweet. To them. In ways. That we cannot. Fully explain.
[33:29] Or will his sight. Be utmost. Fearful. For you. Knowing. That even. Before he speaks.
[33:41] That you did not. Seek him out. While you had. The opportunity. To do so. You will be condemned. By his. Very presence. You have only.
[33:52] To stand. Before him. And see. The scars. Of the nails. That held him. To the cross. And the scar. Of the spear. That pierced. His side. Knowing.
[34:05] That you rejected him. And feeling. Your guilt. Of walking away. From him. Rather. Than seeking. After him. But fully.
[34:17] Realising. The price. He paid. And yet. Your crowning. Sorrow. Shall not. Will be. That you will not. Be restored. Nor receive.
[34:27] Joy. Because it will not. Be your name. That he will even say. But like the foolish. Virgins. You will be told.
[34:40] I do not. Know you. This will be. The defining point. For you. Does he know. Your name.
[34:51] And will he know. Your name. Is your name. Written in the. Lamb's. Book of life. I pray. That you seek him. Because none of us.
[35:01] Knows the day or hour. Of his appearing. And Horatio Bonar. Wrote. This. Also.
[35:12] And we will close with it. I heard. I heard. The voice of Jesus say. Come unto me. And rest.
[35:24] Lay down. O weary one. Lay down. Your head. Upon my breast. I came to Jesus. As I was.
[35:35] Weary. And worn. And sad. I found. In him. A resting place. And he has made. Me glad. I heard.
[35:46] The voice of Jesus. Say. Behold. I freely give. The living water. Thirsty one. Stoop down. And drink. And live.
[35:58] I came to Jesus. And I drank. Of that. Life giving stream. My thirst. Was quenched. My soul. Revived.
[36:09] And now. I live. In him. I heard. The voice. Of Jesus. Say. I am. This dark world's light. Look unto me.
[36:20] Your morn. Shall rise. And all your days. Be bright. I looked. To Jesus. And I found. In him. My star.
[36:30] My son. And in that light. Of life. I'll walk. Till traveling. Days. Are done. Amen.
[36:49] May we conclude. By singing. In Psalm 27. In the Scottish Psalter. Psalm 27.
[37:01] In the Scottish Psalter. On page. Two. Three. Seven. We'll begin at verse 11.
[37:19] Psalm 23. Scottish Psalter. Verse 11. O Lord. Instruct me in thy way. To me a leader be. In a plain path.
[37:32] Because of those. That hatred bear to me. Give me not to mine enemies will. For witnesses that lie. Against me risen are and such.
[37:43] As breathe out cruelty. I fainted had. Unless that I. Believed had to see. The Lord's own goodness. In the land.
[37:55] Of them. That living be. Wait on the Lord. And be thou strong. And he shall strength thou forth. And to thine heart.
[38:06] Ye do thy weight. I say. Upon the Lord. We'll sing these verses in conclusion. O Lord instruct me in thy way. O Lord instruct me in thy way.
[38:28] To meet a leader be. In a flame. In a flame.
[38:40] I'll speak of. Of those. That hatred bear to me.
[38:52] Give me not to my enemies will. For witness is that lie.
[39:09] Against me risen are and such. As breathe out cruelty.
[39:25] I fainted had. I fainted had. Unless that I.
[39:36] Believed had to see. The Lord's own goodness.
[39:49] Be. In a flame. In a flame. In a flame. That living be. We. In a flame. We.
[40:00] We. Don't. The Lord. The Lord. And be. The. The. The. Strong. And.
[40:11] He. Shall. Have. A. For. The. The. The. on. Through. The.
[40:22] The. light. By. samen. It. Above. The. hold.
[40:33] 神.nels hires. Amen. A word of prayer. Father. Namak. heaven. Tim. day.
[40:44] The.ех. and that our hearts would long after you and that you would keep us and protect us as we go about our duties and that we would remember Christ in all that we do and in all that we are and that we really do owe everything to Jesus Christ and that we would see you with our own eyes that we would hear with our ears and know how deep the love of Christ is for each of us and how he calls after us all that we would hear his voice and draw closer to him we pray this this night as we part that we would go with Christ and not leave him in this place all these things we ask in the name of our precious Saviour
[41:52] Jesus Christ Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen