INTRODUCTION - EARLY, BEFORE DAWN, A GROUP OF WOMEN START FROM BETHANY TO ANOINT THE BODY OF JESUS

• For the detail of all the exciting rushing back & forth see footnote-Scofield- Matt 28:1
• But after everyone had rushed in, & ran out- (John 20:10) it is Mary Magdalene who lingered-
• As she stood in the lonely garden weeping- her weakness is ours, but her faithfulness gave her the great thrill of being the first one to see the Risen Lord - will you be faithful?

I. THE ANGELS ASKED "WOMAN, WHY WEEPEST THOU? John 20:1

Angelic beings clothed in light, sitting on the hewn-out coffin- watching, observing!

A. THE TWO ANGELS WERE THE FIRST TO ASK HER WHY SHE WAS WEEPING, AND THEY ARE WATCHING US TODAY!

1. The angels could not have understood her frailty, her lack of faith, her emotion of sorrow!
2. Jesus had taught his disciples & his enemies that he would come alive after 3 days- John 2:18
3. The Angel had earlier told the Women Matt 28:6- "He is risen as he said" -Why can't you believe?

B.  MARY SPOKE TO THEM "BECAUSE THEY HAVE TAKEN AWAY MY LORD" V. 13b - Brave woman to talk with Angels

1. But she jumped at the wrong conclusion- and we often weep when we should rejoice- mistaken id
2. "They", We are so quick to blame, and falsely accuse others when the lack of faith is in ourselves
3. Mary knew the Lord- he had healed her of 7 devils; yet she doubted, but fears did hot stop her

C.  "AND I KNOW NOT WHERE THEY HAVE LAID HIM." v. 13b SHE FELT HER LACK OF ASSURANCE, FELT LOST

1. Too often we cannot see God's plan in our troubles- We have a cross to bear & we lose our Lord
2. Praise God- though we stumble, worry, fret over wrong things- our God works out His purpose-
3. We often express our ignorance, when if we would but wait upon the Lord- & listen- 

Chrysostrum-4th Century-preaches that the angels turned attention past her so she turned & saw Jesus

II.  THE LORD ASKED "WOMAN, WHY WEEPEST THOU?" 20:15

Why did not Mary recognize Him at first glance- she was busy crying!

A.  JESUS ASKED HER THE SAME QUESTION, "WOMAN, WHY WEEPEST THOU?" IT WAS DIFFERENT FROM ANGELS!

1. Jesus knew her heart; the doubts, frustrations of humanity; AND HE KNEW TEARS FOR HE HAD WEPT
2. His "whom seekest thou" was but to draw her out! He knew! But God draws us out to greater joy
3. Now! Whom seekest THOU? NOW! Easter in Church- Social prestige? 2 a year loyalty? or JESUS?

B.  SHE CRIED "SIR, IF THOU HAVE BORNE HIM HENCE, TELL ME WHERE THOU HAST LAID HIM," v.15b

1. She thought Him to be the gardener - looking down, depressed, blinded by her sorrows -  we make Him Santa Claus, Easter bunny
2. She sought an earthly knowledge-, People today say- He is in desert? here? There? -Where?
3. The disciples sought an earthy kingdom, And too many today seek Him in carnal way-not spiritual

C.  "AND I WILL TAKE HIM AWAY" 15c SHE WAS GOING TO GO GET HIS BOBY AND CARRY HIM AWAY!

1. Can you imagine this wisp of a woman carrying the body of Jesus? Such ambition, impossible!
2. So much of our service -carnal! We want to serve the Lord in fleshly ways- Our own ways!
3. We might admire her courage & spunk, but recognize that Christ chooses our place of service!

Jesus felt the pathos of her tears, and He reached out to her, to call her home!

III.  JESUS SAITH UNTO HER "MARY" John 20:16

Jesus is here this morning- and He may be calling YOUR NAME- are you listening? recognition?

A.  JESUS SAID "MARY!" AND SHE TURNED QUICKLY, LOOKING FULLY AT HIM - MASTER!

1. Written language cannot show the tone of voice- Here one word pierced all tears- to heart!
2. God must get our attention- sometimes sorrow, scare, hurt, or what? Worth it to hear His voice
3. We have only one answer- "Master" Paul, Peter, Doubting Thomas-John 20:28b- My Lord, & God!

B.  JESUS SAID HOLD ME NOT! FOR I AM NOT YET ASCENDED TO MY FATHER" John 20:17a

1. There is great mystery about this verse- later in Matt 28:9 the women grabbed his feet??
2. We almost universally desire a physical touch from the Lord- but this can be carnal- fleshly
3. Paul in II Cor 5:16 resolved to not know the Lord after the flesh- lest swell up in pride!

C.  JESUS COMMANDED "GO TO MY BRETHREN AND TELL THEM"  - 17c - THE FIRST COMMISSIONED MISSIONARY

1. Let go- quit grabbing for personal gratification & get busy obeying - share by telling
2. You can be a secret Christian like Nicodemus- but how miserable-, enjoy by go tell!
3. You will never really enjoy the power of the Resurrection until YOU tell someone about it! 

The greeting of the Early Church- "He is risen", answered "He is risen indeed"

CONCLUSION - ARE YOU STILL WEEPING FOR A PHYSICAL EXPERIENCE, OR WILL YOU OBEY & HAVE SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE?

1. Jesus is calling your name- have you answered Him "Master"? yet? If not, why not now!??
2. There is no better time to meet the Lord than on an Easter Morning- lift your eyes to Him!
3. When you have seen Him- then go tell! The crying need in today's confusion- missionaries

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