Have You Ever Noticed the Encounter of the Marys?
Do you see Mary and the other Mary, a few friends too, trodding the dry, dusty trail?
The downturned corners of their lips devour any hint of glee. One of them – maybe a few – are hauling the spices to place on Jesus’ body. After all, he’s dead. Can’t you smell the hint of death in the air?
“How are we going to move that heavy stone?” one of them asks.
Silence fills the air. No one knows that answer. They’ve all pondered it silently, but none have been brave enough to eek out the question – not until now.
Tears wet the dusty earth below as they pace with one foot in front of the other. They continue their early-morning amble toward the tomb with the weight of hurting hearts. Their hope and savior is dead, so it seems.
But is all really as it seems?
As they approach the grave, a gasp cuts through the air. Spices fall to the ground. Mary’s eyes widen.
“But how?” she whispers. Her hand moves upward, covering her lips, cupping her mouth.
The stone has been rolled away.
“Do not be afraid,” a voice offers. “you’re looking for a crucified and dead Jesus.”
A brilliant glow surrounds the voice. Somehow the woman sees a head amid the glow. It’s gently shaking from side to side.
“He’s not here.”
No, Jesus is not dead. All isn’t as it seems.
“Just as he said, he is alive,” the voice booms.
Her mouth gapes wide. A power beyond her own has rolled away the stone, and beyond that stone – somewhere – breaths a living Jesus.
She’s beginning to sense a difference. She must go beyond the routine, press past the stone.
The angel pulls her in with a conversation. She and the group listen intently. Their hearts ignite, then they venture off to be about their Father’s business.
But there’s something this woman and others in the spice posse do when, shortly after the angel interaction, they have a face-to-face encounter with Jesus. And it makes a difference.
As they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” They came and took hold of his feet, and worshiped him.
Matthew 28:9 WEB
They cast fear to the wind and bow low. Pride nor fear hold them upright. (Oh, but please…don’t those spirits try?!)
The women see fit to bending a knee – only to Jesus.
Could you imagine passing by Jesus simply because of an all-consuming, attention-gathering to-do list?
Oh my….
Sadly, I’ve been there. Maybe you too.
Tradition of spices isn’t the answer, either. Many of us have held hands with tradition as well.
This is the way we’ve always done it.
But I’m comfortable in my routine of familiarity.
What if Jesus wants to scatter our routine of tradition?
Tradition, apart from Jesus, is ritual – for the dead. It’s like laying spices on a dead Savior. It’ll never resurrect him.
These women need worship – for the living. They need and long for a breathing, living, powerful Savior.
So do we.
Go ahead, grasp his feet. Reach for Jesus. Don’t be afraid to bow low.
Go ahead. Grasp his feet as best you can. Reach for Jesus. Don't be afraid to bow low. Share on XThen, like the women hurrying from the tomb, simply worship Jesus.
Do you desire more than spices for the dead? I do.
Before writing, I desire to ingest worship. Maybe you too?
Before speaking with Jesus-seeking folks, I hope to open wide and devour a main course with my Savior.
Before living day-to-day, checking off that ever-present to-do list, I long to be intentional – reach low, touch his feet, and wait until his voice broadcasts clearly.
I desire to simply worship Jesus – before all else.
Then…go tell the world.
You too?
I desire to simply worship Jesus - before all else. Share on XIf so, then we can learn from Mary. We can…
Look for Jesus’ feet.
Bow low.
Reach.
Grasp.
Worship.
Then, watch a world be changed as an empty-grave, stone-rolled-away Savior touches lives, one at a time.
If this is your hope…
…will you comment below, “I am reaching for Jesus’ feet”?
I am reaching for Jesus' feet. Join me? #walkingdeeper Share on X
I’ll pray for you, and please feel free to pray for others in the comments below as well. Let’s “walk deeper” with Jesus in this new year. Let’s worship.
Updated 3/1/19
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What an uplifting post for the week after Easter. Let’s be the girls who say, “Jesus is risen. He is risen indeed!” in August and in January! The fact that He is alive makes all the difference in the world, and nothing will ever be the same again!
Yes, Michele. Let’s be those girls!
Oh yes I am reaching for Jesus’ feet!!! May I always reach for his feet!!! What a beautiful post Kristi!!!
Love that reach, Shannon!
Wow…I need to reach for Jesus’ feet every day Kristi as I seek to go deeper with Him. There is no telling what God can accomplish in our lives when we seek Him each day. Thank you for the beautiful depiction of the events that took place early on Easter morning many years ago. I am so thankful that i serve a Risen Savior. I hope you and your family had a wonderful resurrection Sunday. Have a wonderful week! blessings.
It’s so true, Horace. It’s an every day reach. My family and I had a wonderful resurrection Sunday. You? Hope so!
Oh yes, I’m reaching for His feet too, to bow low before Him. Thanks for this encouragement to continue celebrating the resurrection by spending time each day with our Risen Savior.
Amen. I’m reaching and bowing alongside you, Betsy.
Dear Kristi … thanks for sharing this Matthew 28 passage. It’s one of my favorite with the women afraid, yet still filled with joy.
It’s ok to have fear come to call. ‘Cause the fruit of the Spirit never leaves … joy remains. What a gift God has given us even in the middle of life’s messiness.
Amen Linda.
You know it, sister! Your words made me think of the verse from Romans “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.” In a world that is trying to be raised high, I’m so grateful that we can find goodness and grace by bowing low.
Indeed ~ how beautiful the feet…
“I desire to simply worship Jesus – before all else.” Amen, Kristi! I am reaching for Jesus’ feet. Sweet blessings to you, friend. : )
Reach my friend, reach. 😉
I am reaching for Jesus’ feet. Take me deeper, Lord. Beautiful, deep post, friend!
Love that reach, Liz.
Oh I pray I’m always clinging to Jesus. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. Thank you for these great words following Easter!
Yes, always clinging. Love that, Lisa.
You have made the familiar story come alive in a new way. Beautiful reminders of what I need to do to truly follow Christ and make Him first in my life.
Him first ~ yes. Worshiping right alongside you, Debbie.
This is beautiful. I’m no Mary but I hope for such a close encounter with the Lord. 🙂
And I believe He always answers those hopes, Lux.
Oh, how beautiful! I have noticed the encounter of the Mary’s. It’s so encouraging! Thank you, Kristi!
Good eyes, Ellen. You have a heart after Jesus.
Your words brought the scene with the Mary’s alive. Yes, I want to reach for the feet of Jesus, too–every morning!
Reaching alongside you, Carol. Love it!
Yes, yes, yes! I am reaching for Jesus’ feet! God, give me the desire to daily seek You first above all else!
Love that prayer, Michelle.
Kristi,
Wow, such powerful conviction with a strong call to come, bow and bend before the True and Living God. Phew. . .Amen, Amen!! Before pouring out, reaching out, letting that Word be our first fruit, first fill, first thing… So so good! Thank-you Kristi.