John 20:14-18

Lots of writing today, but it's worth it! Can you begin to imagine this moment? The Teacher Mary had been following & serving, the man who healed her was gone. She was probably distraught and didn't recognize His voice at first. But when He called her name! Woah!

John doesn't record her hugging Him, but she must have. Especially since He told her not to cling to Him. I would have hugged Him too! Wouldn't you?

This entire event shook up the Jewish culture. Women were treated poorly and even as property in their time. Jesus revealing Himself alive first to a woman would have been crazy! But, like the Gentiles later, He wanted the world to see that women ARE important and they can be messengers.

I doubt we can ever relate to how Mary felt that day, fully, but we probably have a slight idea. If you’ve ever lost a child in a store, the panic you feel is horrible. Then, when you find them, you are so thankful. It might have felt like that. I just love how God does things! He’s so awesome!