Who Are You Looking For?

When Mary was at the garden tomb Jesus asked her a question, “Who are you looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

Mary was looking for Jesus in the wrong place, among the dead. She was looking for what had become familiar to her and she desperately wanted things to be back to normal.

Then Jesus spoke her name, “Mary,” and she turned to Him and cried out, “Teacher!” Her encounter with Jesus cleared her vision.

When our lives are turned upside down by trials, challenges and troubles who do we look for? Where are we looking? In our own desperation to have things go back to normal are we willing to open our eyes and see what is right in front of us? It was when Mary recognized that Jesus was right there with her, in her circumstances, that she was able to move ahead and share the Good News with others.

Jesus met her right where she was and He lovingly directed her in the way she should go. Our trials and troubles are no surprise to God. In fact, Jesus said, “In this would will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world.”

When troubles come we can learn from Mary and ask ourselves, “Who are you looking for and where are you looking? Remembering that Jesus is right there in front of us too.

Be Intentional about looking for Jesus in every situation.

Praises & Prayers

Lord, thank you for always being present in every situation that comes our way. Help us to look for You in them rather than for ways to get around them or through them on our own. Open our eyes to see You and to take heart in knowing that You are fully aware of our circumstances and completely in control. Thank you Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Messages from His Word

John 16:33

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”