By Pastor Wale OlaOluwa
John 20:11-12:
“But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping:…she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.”
On hearing the news of the miraculous; they were three of them – Peter, John and Mary, who started running at the same time, to the gravity centre to witness and possibly confirm an uncommon encounter.
John got there first.
Then followed by Peter; and then Mary came last (John 20:2-6).
But after a while on the spot, with disbelieving confirmation of Mary’s narration; Peter and John, both of them Apostles; with all their titles and positions in ministry, left the scene – in a hurry! (John 20:10).
But Mary; who was not an Apostle nor a Pastor, Prophet, Teacher or Bishop stayed in ‘God’s presence’. After all anywhere God shows up, manifest or display His acts; is where His presence is!
Mary was an ordinary disciple of Christ. But her spirit was not ordinary. And her mind was not ordinary either! So she made up her mind that day,
• To see something;
• Hear something;
• Feel something;
• And if possible, touch something unusual!
She refused to be in a hurry to leave. She stayed behind. She was persistent. She wanted an encounter!
She was eager to see a solution, a direction to what had troubled her and many lives around her. She was desperate; more desperate than those who carried titles around. She stood there groaning (John 20:11,12).
“But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping:…”
Alas!
She had the encounter!
She first turned and saw angels; God’s representatives who gave her good news, which settled her restlessness.
Then she turned again, and saw Jesus Himself! (John 20:14).
Halleluyah…!
Jesus showed up.
What an encounter!
By that, Mary was the first to see the power of resurrection at work. She was the first to hear live word from the master. She was the first to testify to others about the miraculous (John 20:16,17,18).
Please, never be in a hurry in the place of travail. It is a place of prayer. Persist, tarry there. Pray more, groan more and be patient until something positive happens.
May the Lord take away restlessness and impatience from you; and keep you focused on Christ Jesus always.
You are lifted.
• Pastor OlaOluwa is the Lead Pastor of Priesthood Covenant Assembly, Lagos.