Sunday Morning Worship With the Gardener

Jesus died on the cross in your place and for all who trust in Him for the forgiveness of sins; for a new relationship with the Father. His body was taken down from the cross on that Friday, and quickly placed in a borrowed tomb since the Sabbath was about to begin (sundown on Friday). John recorded in his gospel that the tomb was in a garden near the place where they crucified Jesus. Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early on Sunday, the first day of the week, and found that the huge stone had been taken away that had covered the entrance to the tomb. John gives the account in 20:1 – 18.

Mary ran and told the disciples. Peter and John ran back with her to the tomb to find that it was empty, but “…they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.” 20:9. They went back, but Mary stayed. As she went inside the empty tomb she saw two angels sitting where they had laid Jesus. They asked her why she was weeping. She replied that someone had taken away her Lord and she did not know where His body had gone.

Suddenly, Jesus was behind her and said, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” 20:15. John began his gospel with a similar question in 1:35 – 38. John the Baptist saw Jesus walking by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” Two of his disciples heard him and started following Jesus. Jesus turned around and said, “What are you seeking?” The word “seek” is the Greek word, zeteo, which means to search for something that has been lost, to diligently inquire about something of great interest. It is a word used throughout the Bible to describe the need that every person has to recover what sin has destroyed. This question, what are you seeking, whom are you seeking, is one that each person must face and answer at some point in their life. For Mary, it was on a Sunday morning, in a garden, beside an empty tomb.

Mary still did not recognize Jesus. She thought that He was the gardener. It may have been because she was weeping, or that she was prevented from recognizing Him similar to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 2413 – 35). Knowing Jesus is something that must be revealed before He can be known. But when Jesus called her name, “Mary,” she knew it was Jesus, and fell at His feet in adoration and worship!

Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” The word “cling” is the Greek word hoptoe, which means to hold fast to something and to not let go. Mary must have had both arms wrapped tightly around the ankles of Jesus.

In essence, Jesus said, “Turn me loose so I can ascend to my Father and to your Father, to my God and to your God.” In saying this Jesus was declaring the New Covenant of a new relationship with God, His relationship, now made possible and available by His death and resurrection! His death paid the penalty for your sins so that you can have a new relationship with God. His life from the dead gives you His relationship with God; His Father to be your Father and God. Hallelujah!

Have you thought about what you are seeking in life? Have you found the One who satisfies every desire? Do you have the relationship that Jesus provided for you by His life, death, and resurrection? When you do, you, like Mary, will cling to Him and never let go! To find Jesus is to find the Father. To worship Him is to worship the Father, in spirit and truth.