Our Scripture for today is John 20:18
“Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.”
As we read this verse, it is important to remember the context. Mary had just come from the burial grave of Jesus. There she found his grave empty and then talked to Jesus. He told her to go and report the story to the disciples.
It certainly must have been hard for the disciples to believe her. They saw Jesus die! They knew he was dead. Now Mary tells them she talked with him. Impossible.
This reminds me of the story of Harry Houdini. He was known as the greatest escape artist in history. When he died in 1926, he told his followers that he would find a way to talk to them. Every year on Halloween, the anniversary of his death. His followers would hold a vigil for his return. This meeting continued for many years, even decades.
He never came back or even send word. Thus, each year fewer and fewer people would gather to hear from him. We don’t know when, but finally the gathering just stopped.
However, in the story of Jesus. It didn’t stop. He did come back. He did speak to them.
1 Corinthians 15:5-7 tells us, “He appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time…Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.”
Nobody expects the great escape artist, Houdini, to return. But each Sunday millions and millions of disciple gather and remember that Jesus got up from the grave. He came back and that he is coming back again. I can hardly wait!
Lonnie Davis