Linger a Little Longer
I Have Seen - Part 1
Sunday, April 17, 2022 - Easter Sunday
John 20:11-18
They didn’t yet understand the scripture that Jesus must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to the place where they were staying.
But Mary stood outside near the tomb, crying. As she cried, she bent down to look into the tomb…
John 20:9-11
Listen to this week’s sermon here:
___________________________
How quick we are to rush out of church on Easter to shout out the good news to all the world that Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen indeed! …
Well, after we get our Easter family photos…
and a good Easter lunch, of course…
and maybe a nap…
and dying eggs with the kids or grandkids…
and...
Well… maybe tomorrow. It’s getting late and tomorrow is Monday. Back to the grind.
How quick we are to rush out of the church on Easter to get back to our plain old ordinary lives for another year.
We’re in good company. All of the disciples came out on Easter morning just like us. They took a quick look into the empty tomb and before you know it, they’re heading home, back to their normal lives. When the risen Christ comes looking for them, he finds a few of them already back to work on their fishing boats.
Maybe the reason Easter passes us by so quickly and often leaves us unchanged is because we left too soon. Only one goes forth to proclaim the good news that Christ is Risen and that is Mary. Why?
Because she didn’t just see an empty tomb.
She saw the Lord!
Have you seen the Lord yet today?
Where did you see him?
Did you mistake him for the gardener?
Did you look into his eyes when you stopped to serve him in the form of someone else?
Did he speak to you through the familiar voice of a family member or friend?
Did you see him running around with the kids?
Did you drive past him on the way to church without even noticing?
Will you drive past him again on the way home?
Will you invite him to that big family lunch? Will you ask him to stay the night, or maybe two?
If you haven’t seen the Lord yet today, just linger a little longer with Mary. He will meet you right where you are.