Encounters with Jesus: Mary and the Gardener

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes. But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 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." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). 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.'"  Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"—and that he had said these things to her. - John 20:1‭-‬18 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

It's reliability (the resurrection)

All credible historians agree that a man Jesus lived and was crucified. But this is where the disagreement begins. Many believe that Jesus was dead and buried and that was it.

The Greeks believed in a resurrection of the spirit. The spirit left the body and that was it. There was no bodily resurrection.

Mary thought that the body was stolen. Grave robbery was commonplace. The disciples were confused about what happened. Until they met the resurrected Christ...

Women were the first to see the resurrected Christ. Consider this, women's testimony was inadmissible in court. No one would try to make up a credible story using women's testimony. How about grave robbers? Then what about the body wraps? They were left behind and not only that, but some was nearly wrapped. What robber leaves things neatly behind them?? It doesn't happen. The Jewish and Roman authorities wanted to put down this "cult" of Jesus followers. They would have left no stone unturned in trying to get the body. They would have paid good money for someone to produce the body. And nothing, no body.

It's result (the resurrection)

Mary was freed from demons by Jesus. She is so distraught that she does not recognize the angels or Jesus. She thinks this man is a gardener. So Jesus asks, "why are you crying"? What is the meaning of this? It is a gentle rebuke. Jesus has won.

Death had been defeated. Not only physical death, but spiritual death was defeated. Jesus has won for us the breaking of the spiritual death that is separation from God. He is victorious over hell. Mary was weeping as one without hope. But for those in Christ, there is hope, even in death. We weep at the separation, but we know this is temporary. We will meet again.

The disciples were hopeless. They had just watched Jesus die upon the cross. It all appeared meaningless. But there is a God and there was a reason for this pain. The suffering is not without meaning. In heaven, we will find more fulfillment and satisfaction in Jesus. The suffering and loss will make heaven the more sweeter. The suffering in this life will add to your joy rather than subtracting.

The right response

Jesus asks who Mary is looking for. She was looking for a kind caring teacher. Jesus is God. He is not simply a good moral teacher. He wants us to give Him control over our lives. He deserves to be Lord over our lives. But he is trustworthy and He did it first. He submitted to God, even to the cross, for us, his enemies. We can submit without concern. He had led by example.

So what is the right response? Jesus calls Mary to share with the rest of the disciples. So it is with us, we are called to proclaim. Tell others that Jesus has risen. Mary thought Jesus was the gardener and in a way she was right. Jesus is the cosmic gardener. He is clearing the thorns and thistles. He is planting seeds that will sprout and bring forth vibrant life and beauty. The entire world is His garden and it will be restored to it's former glory.