April 09, 2012

Mary's Run

My daughter  was baptized yesterday.  We are Christian, and this is a significant step in faith, to do as Jesus commanded and identify with the death and resurrection of our Savior through the water of baptism.  I went on my 12 k yesterday on a sunny morning and as I got into my run, thinking of what I would share with my little girl and our congregation of fellow believers, I thought of that morning that Jesus was risen.  Mary, a beloved woman of Jesus who had gone to her Savior's tomb in grief and a heavy heart was surprised with an empty tomb!  What was meant to be a heavy visit ended up a divine surprise, because the living Jesus, the man she was mourning was not dead anymore!  He was alive!
Mary ran back to town, most likely mind racing, heart pounding, breath heavy and uneven, sobbing, laughing, wild wild wild hearted.  I imagined myself as Mary, thrilled and confounded by this news.  He was the one who cast demons out of her, which she had at one point felt completely helpless to be free from.  He had already saved her!  And this was a delightful encounter!
The run back to town most likely was a blur, but the JOY~~~~~ wow.  As I ran yesterday, I imagined running with such joy, and I became enthralled with Mary's delight, her surprise and the fact that my run on Easter Sunday was my worship, my thanks to God who rescues me, and that all the sorrow and strife of my life is no longer my own.  Jesus died once, for all my sin and sorrow, and I ran in joy!!!  Happy Easter!
“I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” ’ Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’; and she told them that he had said these things to her. (John 20: 1-18)