A Corpse Or A Living Christ

After the crucifixion, Mary Magdelene had gone to the tomb where they had placed the body of Jesus. However, when she arrived the stone was rolled away and the body was gone.

Now here is what you must see! St. John chapter 20:11,

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

This picture is not so unusual. For if someone you and I loved had been crucified just three days before, and his body just came up missing, I believe that we would have responded basically the same way! We would have been concerned! We possibly would have stayed behind just a little longer and perhaps stood outside the entrance of the tomb and cried!

But, the rest of this story is simply amazing! While Mary stood outside weeping, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulcher. And the bible says,

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.

I am fully confident, if I saw two angels in white sitting anywhere, let alone in a graveyard, I would do more than cry!

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.

Notice this! She has either been around Jesus so long and seen so many supernatural encounters that one more does not even phase her, or she is so devastated by her losses, she doesn't even realize what is taking place! And I’m persuaded it is the latter!!

Mary is looking at and carrying on a conversation with two angels, and it's not checking her at all! She keeps right on weeping! She's having a supernatural encounter and she’s not even aware of it!

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

She was so wrapped up in her weeping, she didn't even recognize the very one for whom she was looking!

Verse 15, Jesus saith unto her, (no longer is it the Angels talking now it is Jesus and she is still weeping!)

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.

I know she's hurting! But, at this point in her life, it's important to her that she have the corpse, even though the living Jesus is so close.

It's important to her that she has what used to be! Does not this sound like some of the modern day religious people?

There are those who prefer a dead corpse over a living Christ!

Why? Because a dead corpse will let you live as you want to live! A dead corpse will let you go where you want to go! You can drag a dead corpse anywhere and it won't care! A dead corpse doesn't argue with you over what is right and what is wrong! A dead corpse will never convict you of your sin. A dead corpse never tells you to tithe! Never challenges you to go to the next level.

But one thing you must remember! A dead corpse produces no miracles either! In a dead corpse there is no salvation or healing!

Friend, right now, just as He called out to Mary, He is calling your name! Listen to Him! Turn to Him as Mary did. Get ready right now for your supernatural encounter!

Listen to Him. He is saying, St. John chapter 14:19 “because I live, ye shall live also.”

Who are you looking for today? Are you looking for a corpse or are you looking for a living Christ?

Next Level Card #9