We now see why John focused on Mary Magdalene in his Gospel account. It was her story to tell, and he aptly allows her, for it was Jesus Himself who chose her to tell it!

As we read, it is so easy for our modern eyes to gloss over what we already know, and events run together, but to Mary, as it freshly unfolded in her life, it was in 2 distinct parts:

Why Jesus did not choose to reveal Himself at her first visit we do not know, and space does not permit discussion on this separate study; but we do know it was not happenstance! It is rich. Give yourself to thought and meditation here! Start with the phrase: "IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME." So, we will concern ourselves with what we do know from how He did choose to reveal Himself.

"MARY STOOD...WEEPING." One must remember another Mary standing in like manner most recently at her brother's tomb and how Jesus was so moved, "HE WEPT." Here, now, this Mary, loving Mary, is weeping for her Jesus. He would be moved no less than before! His first resurrected words ever spoken will break the cry of her hurt before arresting her with His familiar Shepherd's voice breathing her name, "MARY." Such a charged emotional moment this must have been! Be there. How His heart must have yearned to now reveal Himself to her. With His mission completed of the intervening hours of an Earthly intermission in leading the captive of another world free, He now returns to release this one (and all others who love Him). Her sobs have spanned the great gulf beyond her universe into that other world her eyes can not see. He has heard her distant cry; He hurries to return. She has captured His attention! The Psalmist was correct; her tears of the night will turn to joy on this memorable morning!

While He is returning, He prepares her to receive Him by what she sees and hears from within His tomb: 2 angels. Her angels or His? Most say His. But who is to know for sure? Maybe one of hers and one of His? We do know hers was present, whether visible or not, and in close contact with its kindred being if His. One would resonate her inner ear in preparation for its opening and receiving the exact words soon to be repeated by her Lord as she turns, likely sensing a presence as He appears. Words twice repeated to tune her ear that she not mistake His voice when He calls her name. She must believe in order to carry this vital second part of the resurrection story to His disciples with His instructions.

In her preconceived mind her sight of the presupposed "GARDENER" must have been only a glance, as her eyes continued their silent search after responding to His initial inquiry, "WOMAN, WHY WEEPEST THOU?" This is seen in her having to turn back to Him upon hearing Him speak her name. But this time her eyes will remain fixed upon Him to confirm what her ears have just heard and her heart is hoping. IT IS HIM! Her search has finally ended!

We must look at His next spoken word, "TOUCH ME NOT," to see her response to Him. "TOUCH" = haptomai = "to hold on, embrace." According to A.T. Robertson, we see here in the Greek a "present middle imperative in prohibition with genitive case," therefore, better translated, "CEASE CLINGING TO ME" (Robertson, p.312). Compare the women's response in Matthew's account (28:9). Here, clearly falling down at and holding onto His feet.

So, like the Mary of 11:33, this Mary is seen also in an act of fervent worship. She is certain of His identity, for, like that one, she will bow before no other! This, John importantly shows for many reasons, mainly: this Earthly Jesus now in His Heavenly body identified by one who has had close continual contact and therefore should best know! Her heart's ache now given way for her happiest hour -- she is convinced.

And, so, she returns as before, but this time rather than bearing "bad news," she brings a fresh word from her Risen Lord! The story is now complete, but never ends. Her first trip to the tomb was with a hope to find Him still within, and when He is not, she weeps. O Earth! O Man! How great and many would be our tears through the ages had her hopes been true and her initial mission accomplished? Better her temporary tears for His absence than all Eternity's if found present! Paul's words ring clear, "If Christ be not raised your faith is vain; Ye are yet in your sins...But now Christ is risen from the dead and become the firstfruits of them that slept."

Mary's message is true, still today. He IS alive! And her witness to us is: To accept Him is to believe and accept His message to tell others. So the question haunts us as her faithfulness shames us: Who and how many have we told lately, He Is Alive?