Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2017 February 8

The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in… Then the disciples went away again unto their own home. But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, 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. 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. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. 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. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master” (John 20:1-5;10-16).

Today’s Morsel:  One of the things that I have noticed about people who have a love for God, is they are some of the first to arrive and some of last to leave church.  Mary Magdalene, whom Jesus had cast out “seven devils” from, really loved Jesus.  When she realized that Jesus was missing from the tomb, she became concerned and told the disciples.  John, who also loved Jesus, ran along with Peter to the tomb to verify Mary’s news.  After discovering that what she said was true, they departed the sepulcher.  But Mary stayed behind and decided to look again.  To her surprise, she noticed two angels sitting on the place where Jesus should have laid.  This was a portrait of the Ark of the Covenant; two angels overshadowing the mercy seat.  But then to her surprise, what she thought was the gardener, just happened to be the one that she loved.  Jesus!  Because she was willing to go early and stay behind when others had left, she was the first to know of the resurrection and to spread the good news.  Don’t ever be too quick to leave church.  Jesus may wanting to show you something.

Sing:  He touched me; oh, oh, He touched me; And oh, the joy that floods my soul.  Something happened, and now I know, Jesus touched me, and He made me whole.

Thought For Today:  Don’t ever be too quick to leave church, Jesus may want to show you something (Parker)