New Comfort for the Grieving

Mary Magdalene was one of the most devoted followers that Jesus ever had. Luke’s Gospel tells us that she and others ministered to Him out of “their substance,” which simply means that she financially supported Him. She traveled with Him. She wanted to be near Him. She wanted to hear Him. She had the courage to stand at the foot of the cross when most of the disciples were in hiding. Imagine how her heart broke at His crucifixion.

She was the last at the cross, and early Sunday morning, she was the first at the tomb. She was not there to see a risen Lord, but to anoint His dead body. But she was in for a great surprise, because Jesus came to her in the midst of her sorrow.

And Jesus comes in the same way to the grieving person today. Maybe you feel desperate in your own grief. Maybe it is over a death. Maybe it is the breakup of a marriage. Maybe you have a child who has gone astray spiritually. But you are grieving.

The good news is that things can change. Things may look absolutely bleak today, but that husband or wife may return. That prodigal child may come back to God. And as a believer, you will again see that Christian loved one who has died. No matter what your circumstances, Jesus will be there with you. Maybe He will resolve your problems immediately. Or maybe your problems will continue. But you never will be alone.

That is the message of the resurrected Lord to us. He knows what we are going through. He understands. And He cares.