In the Arms of Grace

When she heard His voice, she knew Him. “Rabboni,” she cried and clung to Him. Perhaps she fell at His feet and held on, never wanting to let Him go again. The Scriptures don’t describe how she clung to Him, only that Jesus told her not to. He had yet to ascend to His Father, and He had a mission for her.

He said, “Go and find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

Mary, no doubt overjoyed, hurried to do His bidding. I can just picture her bursting into the house where they were all still sitting shiva and declaring, “I have seen the Lord!”

Did they believe her? Some of the Gospels admit that the men found it hard to believe the testimony of a woman. Others say that Peter and John ran to the tomb to see if what she’d said was true. It took a while for the men to believe, but that seemed to be their pattern throughout their time on earth with Jesus. They had their minds set on an earthly kingdom. Jesus was focused on a heavenly one.

But the women, at least some of them, were listening. Mary might not have fully understood at the time, but of all His followers, she loved much because she had been forgiven much. Jesus knew how much she loved Him. And He honored her throughout history by appearing first to her after rising from the dead.

Mary lived her life in deep darkness until she met Jesus. After He rose from the grave, she lived the rest of her days in the arms of His grace.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for grace. You came to this earth at Christmas, born of a virgin to fulfill prophecy and Your destiny. You walked the path of Your Father’s will all the way to the cross. But the greatest day for Your followers was that Resurrection Sunday—Easter—when You triumphed over sin and death and hell to redeem us to become members of Your own family. We’ve been reconciled to Your Father because of Your grace. Thank You! We will praise You forever for all You have done.

If you enjoyed this plan and want to learn more, pick up bestselling biblical fiction author Jill Eileen Smith’s book Dawn of Grace: Mary Magdalene’s Story at Amazon, Baker Book House for 30% off + free shipping, or wherever books are sold.