Open to Someone New
Scripture – John 20:10-14: Then the disciples went back to their homes, but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) The men went away. Men often will try to figure out what to do next. We’re not very good at just standing around feeling helpless. Mary, however, stayed. In her grief and confusion she stayed. The vision of two angels didn’t seem to surprise her. Perhaps she was still so focused on the loss of Jesus’ body that she didn’t realize something new and wonderful was happening. She turned around and saw Jesus, but she didn’t recognize Him. Sometimes when I’m out at a restaurant, I’ll see someone who looks familiar, but I can’t place them. It’s usually someone I’m used to seeing only in one setting – like a clerk in a store, for example. Seeing them in an unexpected place, I don’t recognize them. Mary had a few days to adjust to Jesus’ death. She expected to find a lifeless body. No wonder she failed to recognize Him standing alive.
Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) I often categorize people. That is, I see them in one way and lock myself into that image of who they are. In doing that, I shut them out of all kinds of possibilities. “He wouldn’t want to do that.” Or, “She can’t do this.” I will fight that this week. I will open myself to see people for who they are becoming. I’ll welcome them anew each time we meet.
Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Lord, thank you for seeing me – not only who I am, but who I am becoming. Remind me you are working in the lives of others, as well. Help me see that and encourage that in the people I meet.
Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) The men went away. Men often will try to figure out what to do next. We’re not very good at just standing around feeling helpless. Mary, however, stayed. In her grief and confusion she stayed. The vision of two angels didn’t seem to surprise her. Perhaps she was still so focused on the loss of Jesus’ body that she didn’t realize something new and wonderful was happening. She turned around and saw Jesus, but she didn’t recognize Him. Sometimes when I’m out at a restaurant, I’ll see someone who looks familiar, but I can’t place them. It’s usually someone I’m used to seeing only in one setting – like a clerk in a store, for example. Seeing them in an unexpected place, I don’t recognize them. Mary had a few days to adjust to Jesus’ death. She expected to find a lifeless body. No wonder she failed to recognize Him standing alive.
Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) I often categorize people. That is, I see them in one way and lock myself into that image of who they are. In doing that, I shut them out of all kinds of possibilities. “He wouldn’t want to do that.” Or, “She can’t do this.” I will fight that this week. I will open myself to see people for who they are becoming. I’ll welcome them anew each time we meet.
Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Lord, thank you for seeing me – not only who I am, but who I am becoming. Remind me you are working in the lives of others, as well. Help me see that and encourage that in the people I meet.
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