DO YOU RECOGNIZE HIM?

Dearly Beloved, DO YOU RECOGNIZE HIM? “‘Woman," [Jesus] said, ‘why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?’ Thinking he was the gardener, [Mary Magdalene] said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him’” (John 20:15 NIV). This year Easter season has come and gone, but many lessons are to be learnt from the events that surrounded the season. One of the lessons has to do with Mary Magdalene. Here was a woman that once possessed seven demons before Jesus cast them out of her (see Luke 8:2). Here was a woman that devotedly followed and supported Jesus in His earthly ministry (see Luke 8:3). Here was a woman that identified with Jesus in His suffering and death on the cross (see Matthew 27:55; Mark 15:40). Here was a woman who with other women monitored the burial of Jesus while His disciples were nowhere to be found (Mark 15:47). Here was a woman who with other women arose early on the first day of the week to go and anoint the corpse of Jesus (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1) and even stayed behind to weep profusely for the seemingly “lost” corpse (John 20:11). What a devoted woman! Nonetheless, the sorrow that overwhelmed Mary Magdalene did not let her recognize Jesus Christ when He appeared to her. She thought that He was a gardener! She could recognize Jesus only when Jesus called her by name. Interestingly, some of the disciples that went to fish after the resurrection also did not recognize Jesus until He performed a miracle (see John 21:1-7). On many occasions, we allow our circumstances to blind us from recognizing the fact that God is with us even in those circumstances. The psalmist said, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, FOR YOU ARE WITH ME; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (23:4 NIV emphasis mine). The psalmist recognized God even in his circumstance, and he put his trust in Him. What are you passing through at the moment? Are you so overwhelmed with the situation that you do not recognize God in it? It may seem as if He is not there, but God is indeed nearby to help you out of the situation because He “...is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1 NIV). In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Help me Lord that my circumstance will not blind my eyes to recognize you in the circumstance.