What Jesus Did! 'My Lord!' — John 20:11-13

Thursday, December 13, 2018

But Mary stood outside the tomb, crying. While she was crying, she bent down and looked inside the tomb. Mary saw two angels dressed in white. They were sitting where Jesus' body had been. One angel was sitting where Jesus' head had been, and the other angel was sitting where Jesus' feet had been. The angels asked Mary, "Woman, why are you crying?" Mary answered, "Some people have taken away {the body of} my Lord. I don't know where they put him."
— John 20:11-13 NLT
Illustration of John 20:11-13 NLT — "Woman, why are you crying?" —— "Some people have taken away {the body of} my Lord. I don't know where they put him."

Key Thought

What would make you surrender your faith in Jesus as Lord? One of the things I have always appreciated about Mary Magdalene is her determination to hang on to Jesus as her Lord in the middle of her sorrow, pain, confusion, and loss. Jesus may be dead, but to her, Jesus is still her Lord. So often we qualify our faith in Jesus' lordship based upon our outward circumstances. If things aren't going well, we question why he is ignoring us and our prayers. Sometimes, if we are honest, we question his role as Lord. Let's remember Mary at this moment of confusion and horror. Let's follow her example and hang on tenaciously to the conviction that Jesus is Lord even when (and maybe especially when) we don't understand what is happening!

Today's Prayer

Father in heaven, I do believe that your Son, my Savior, Jesus is Lord. Strengthen me by the power of your Spirit so that I never relinquish that conviction no matter what the circumstances of my life may suggest. In Jesus' mighty and glorious name I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Philippians 2:5-11
  • Romans 10:9-13
  • Acts 2:36-39

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did is a one-year devotional guide through the gospels, using one short passage each day and following the Gospel in consecutive order. Each devotional consists of a passage, reflection and a prayer which opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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