I Know not where they have Laid Him the Wayfarer

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I Know not where they have Laid Him

John 20:11-14 King James Version (KJV)

¹¹ But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,

¹² And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

¹³ And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.

¹⁴ And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

Mary Magdalene, who had followed Jesus for so long, knew him so well, prized his company so much came to the tomb where he had been laid, in her grief, only to find the stone had been removed.

Supposing that his body had been stolen, she went and called Simon Peter, who returned with her and “that other disciple” with him, that disciple, believed to be John himself, the writer of this gospel, who, “outran him”, to see what had happened to the precious body of their Master.

That disciple did not go into the tomb, also overcome by grief and the despair at the loss of the last remnant of all the hope that had been given over the miles travelled and hardships endured together.

Peter, in turn, came to the tomb, bravely entering, wanting to confirm for himself the unthinkable theft of that body, to find the grave clothing empty, the head wrap separated and wadded up away from the rest of it, then both returned, bereft and empty to their homes, not yet remembering the promise made, both by the scripture given by the prophets, and by Christ himself of his resurrection.

Mary, however, remained behind.

She too had to confirm for herself that loss of his body, and, she too looked into the tomb, seeing two angels sitting where the body had been, one at the head, and one at the feet of the grave clothes as she wept vehemently at this loss.

They asked why she wept, and she told them that “they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.”

Turning away from the sight of this loss, she saw Jesus, not recognizing him through the tears being shed, not knowing the joy about to envelop her.

¹⁵ Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

¹⁶ Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

¹⁷ Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

¹⁸ Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

(John 20:15-18)

This encounter exemplifies many today, who find themselves questioning just where the body is laid.

It took the voice of the Master to clear the tears, bringing with it the joy of recognition that in turn allowed her to do as she was instructed and bring the gospel to those, who in turn brought it to others, and with it the promise contained within that gospel.

It was not an easy thing to remain behind, to accept that even the vestige of the love that had been preached and taught were thought to have been stolen from her.

The journey to the tomb was one taken in sorrow, in pain, in misery, one of stolen hope, yet one that had to be made despite the fear of continuing to be seen as a follower of Christ in the face of those who had crucified Him and would persecute all who followed Him and what they believed he stood for.

The journey away from the tomb, was one of joy, restored hope, restored purpose, new, and better comprehended, purpose, new faith in the promise, new certainty of the attainment of that promise!

Mary heard that voice. Mary recognized that voice, Mary obeyed that voice.

Yet, it took the appearance of Jesus among those to whom she took her message before that message was believed.

Those to whom she took that message were themselves barred behind doors, in fear of the world, waiting for and expecting only the worst.

Even after that second appearance to those disciples, doubt remained, disbelief engendered fear for Thomas, who had to see for himself the nail scars before finally recognizing the voice of that Master.

¹⁹ Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

²⁰ And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.

²¹ Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

²² And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

²³ Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

²⁴ But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

²⁵ The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

²⁶ And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

²⁷ Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

²⁸ And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

²⁹ Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

(John 20:19-29)

There are still those who remain spiritually from the “show me” state, who refuse to believe anything not seen with their own eyes. That same state is also famous for the endurance of their mule, one that quite often has to have blinders placed on eyes to maintain the intended path to be plowed and worked.

Even vocal command is often not adequate for that particular creature, but must be accompanied by strident coaxing and prompting to get him to accomplish the work intended for him.

Listen carefully to the voice that speaks daily, if allowed to be heard, and allow those who do not wish to hear, to see as well, what the results are, not of the journey to the tomb, but the journey from the tomb experience by each who understands what Jesus meant by the words spoken to Thomas.

Help to show them where the body of Christ now lies… no longer in the tomb, but risen, ascended and continuing in the glorification  of God through the salvation promised by His resurrection in anticipation of our own.

Christ brought us God’s grace. Accept that grace, and share it, wherever and whenever possible.

Mary heard Jesus’ message of love, it was adequate then and remains adequate now.

Mary heard the message preached throughout the ministry of her Master all the way to the cross, the message preached from the cross, and the message given beyond the tomb, as did the disciples who brought it to us.

The time is now for it to be heard, and seen so that whosoever will may come and be a part of the body that refused to be laid to rest, will not be laid to rest, and remains risen and alive.

“Repent! For the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

Amen and Amen

 CMc