By Rev. Eric Brown
There was so much confusion. Mary didn’t know what was going on. She runs to Peter and John for help; they don’t know what’s going on either. Even when the angels ask her what’s wrong, Mary’s still confused. She’s so confused she mistakes the risen Jesus for a gardener!
That confusion clears and is replaced by joy and wonder when Christ Jesus calls Mary by name. Then she sees (of course she does, for faith comes by hearing!). Then that confusion about what was going on is replaced by the joy of the resurrection. It doesn’t mean that suddenly Mary is perfect – Jesus must make her let Him go so He can get some stuff done after she gloms on to Him. But there is joy and wonder there again.
There’s still so much confusion in our lives, whether we look at the world around us or even at our own thoughts and doubts and fears. That’s the way it here; it’s a mixed up mumbled up world, and we are sinful folks stuck square in the middle of it. But here is the truth; Christ Jesus, your risen Lord and Savior, has called you by name too in the waters of Holy Baptism.
There will still be times when you have no clue what in the world is going on, when things are all messed up. Yet, even at those times, Christ Jesus still is your Savior who has called you by name, who will raise you from the dead, and who has won you everlasting life. When the world or your sinful flesh tries to mire you in confusion, Christ’s Word will draw your focus back to Him, where there is joy even now. You don’t belong to your struggles; you belong to Christ. Nothing you come across can change that fact, for Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, Alleluia.
Rev. Eric Brown is pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Herscher, IL.
Rev. Eric Brown is pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Herscher, Illinois and the co-host of the HT Gospeled Boldly Podcast.
