Settled The Estate

John 20:1-2,

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.

Now it shall be found that his perfect love casts out fear. First though, it seems to me that many have mistakenly taken Mary Magdalene for some sort of authority on the matter. Well, this and other matters on which Scripture is largely silent anyway. The issue with elevating Mary Magdalene to a sort of sainthood status without the Lord is a dangerous one indeed. See, Scripture speaks of how the Lord once cast seven demons out of her. Sure, it says that all who comes to him in no wise are cast out. Yet notice the manner of her coming. It is as one empty and hollowed without those things which made her whole, namely the many companies she kept. How many know the state of such a one. Hopefully not too many of you do. Here is one whose house has been cleaned and empty of all it possessed. But in the absence enters seven worse than before for all their seeking and roaming through the desolate places in the earth. It is not for nothing that the kingdom of God suffers violence and the violent take it by force. So then, we see Mary Magdalene at the last worse off than at the first.

Might well you wonder how for Jesus blood had not yet been shed. Thus nothing would have cured her spiritual condition save for the knowledge of God himself. Remember how the three veils of the cross were rent before. There is then a state that characterizes such a one as marked by fear. Here is seen fear so extreme that it has led her to some dark places once more. Notice her position at the grave as one having no hope. She is but one step removed from the Gadarene naked, roaming the tombs afflicted by self-harm, and without hope. So, it is seen reflected in her words being the first to start the lie that 'someone stole away her Lord.' Have you ever felt like saying 'honey, weren't no one but you.' But such would not be of Christ would it? See then, the state of no faith marked with fear of the demonic. Yet according to the Scripture he died and rose for her too does it not. Someone shout 'there's a spirit behind it.'

The grave is still empty no matter which way you slice it. Whether between the disciple whom he loved or the one who denied his trust as the servant, the grave is still empty. Herein is found the holiness of the witness of three. The blood that spoke for all would finally be seen. Else he would not be the Lord. So, at the last are there not three witnesses spoken of, the law, the testimony, and the angelic. See, it began with the two witnesses of Revelation and ended with the angel flying through the Heavens; they came bearing the message of the glorious gospel so so all might be without excuse. Know you not where any have laid him today. Is he not laid up at God's right hand, seated as the blood which speaks for all. Now I know I spend too much time on this. But does it not matter somewhat to you when Jesus finally appears. Yet then, her only thought was something of the gardener who came to keep stones. Note the temptation given her. It is not just a personal matter anymore. Indeed, he died and rose for all. At the last, does not Mary present with her much confusion which once brought about the tower of Babbel's fall. My, what a contrast to the other tower Siloam which presented false hope otherwise found in God himself.

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 cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

Note the power imparted in verse eight, as the witness saw and believed. See also Johns position as the disciple whom Jesus loved seen in the text. So then, hope is faith in trust. Now I am by no means suggesting that John has found an angel. Rather, a servant by measure of ability while still a son through new life in Christ's name. Perhaps you have somewhat heard of the cat which swallowed a ball of yarn. Then when she had kittens, they all had sweaters on. The linen clothes were found lying, themselves an empty shell. Such is the state of man, home for both God himself and the fullness of good and evil. That is why it is so important to understand your destiny. In plainer terms who were you created to be. Life in death comes from the principle of multiplication. So often it is said to plant your seed and watch the Father bring the increase. So, are we too as bodies, empty seeds, sown in dishonor. Yet then are we raised in the fullness of life in the Father. Only God can predict or even bring about such an increase. it seems then that so great a secret is really not well hidden at all. Far better to embrace the new life in place of confusion, wedding garments in place of those old dirty grave clothes, and testimony in exchange for mourning found at the hands of Christ himself. As at the last be emptied of all others save for Christ himself. Herein is found the mystery of the Master's missing. The napkin was but a sign to the servants of the Master's soon return. Each one saw the same scene yet noticed different things. Eternity hinges on how you know him as well.