Mary of Magdala, usually called Mary Magdalene in the Bible, loved Jesus. So much so that she was one of the women who traveled with him, helping support Jesus and the Twelve out of their own means (see Luke 8:1-3). And who wouldn’t love the one who set her free of seven demons?

We don’t see much of Mary in the gospels until we get to the crucifixion and resurrection. She stands in a cluster of women at a distance from the cross, watching her Savior die. When Joseph lays Jesus in the tomb on Friday, Mary is sitting nearby, watching. Along with friends, she purchases spices to take to the tomb to anoint Jesus. But when they arrive early Sunday morning with the spices they discover that the stone has been rolled away from the entrance of the grave. And the tomb is empty.

Where is Jesus?

Her Lord is gone! Who took him? Where did they lay him?

As Mary considers the turbulence of the recent days, she begins to weep. Oh, her broken heart. Do you think she felt betrayed? I imagine she did. The one who had saved her life—and her soul—has died at the hands of schemers who saw Jesus as a threat to their authority. At least she can find his body and care for it.

She bends down and looks again into the tomb. It’s no longer empty. Two men in dazzling white garments are inside.

“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Then they remembered his words (Luke 24:5-8).

Do we “look for the living among the dead”? Are we standing at an empty tomb reciting the turbulence of our lives this past year, or carrying burdens Jesus never asked us to pick up? Do we look to the world to meet our needs? Or to other people? Do we, like Mary, wonder where Jesus is?

One thing’s for sure, we will not find the living Jesus among the dead!

In John 20:11-19, Mary sees Jesus but thinks he is the gardener. His words to her are gentle, “Woman, why are you crying? Who’s is it you are looking for?” She tells him her plan to get Jesus’ body and then he calls her by name, “Mary.” What her mind cannot grasp her ears and her eyes have understood. She’s just seen Jesus, and he is very much alive!

Do you need a fresh encounter with Jesus? He has you in his heart and in his sight. Can you hear him call your name? It’s true, you know. No matter our circumstances, our sorrows, or our obstacles, Jesus is alive and is ready to accept you for the first or the hundredth time!

Today let’s look to Jesus and join Mary Magdalene in her joy-filled testimony, “I have seen the Lord!”