John 20:1-2; 10-18 In the most technical sense of the word only sinners can look at the resurrection. With some; however the impact on their lives is so dramatic that the relationship takes on a special dimension. Mary Magdalene had been a prostitute and when she met Jesus he cast out seven demons. It must have been a very dramatic experience. After her conversion, she followed Jesus rather closely. In fact she and several other women, took care of Jesus' and the disciples' expenses so that they could be about their ministry. (Luke 8:20. Jesus had once said that the one who has been forgiven much, loves much. We can only try to imagine the impact of the crucifixion on Mary and the pain she felt. She was there at the foot of the cross beside His mother and John the beloved disciple and a few others. She followed at a distance when they took Him down and placed Him in a borrowed tomb. We see her in our scripture, the Sabbath had ended, and after what must have been a short and sleepless night, she's at the tomb. The sun hasn't even come up yet. She finds that the tomb is already empty. Some wicked and thoughtless person, she thinks, has stolen His body - she's crushed. After running and bringing back Peter and John, they look and leave. Mary stands alone weeping, aching and empty. She took another look and saw two angels; they ask her "why are you crying?" Mary was so lost in her grief that even when Jesus Himself spoke to her, she thought it must be the gardener. But when Jesus said, "Mary," the emotions that flooded over her must have been beyond description. Mary the forgiven, delivered, sinner was special in Jesus' eyes. I believe that when Jesus saw her heart, He said "Yes!", if there were only this - it was worth it all. "God so loved the world", but Jesus died for the "whosoever believeth." - Mary was a "whosoever." No matter who you are or what you've done, you can be a whosoever - a Mary. When you look at the empty tomb, you can say - "That was for me!" Just as Jesus met Mary there at her most desperate moments, He'll meet you too -You are important to Jesus!

A Sinner's Look at the Empty Tomb