Mourning, crying and joy

Tuesday August 17, 2021

"You have changed my mourning into joy." Psalm 30.11

"[the disciples] were in mourning and weeping." Mark 16. 10

"The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord." John 20. 20

Mourning, crying and joy

Jesus of Nazareth was crucified. The disciples cry. Perhaps they had believed that this time again Jesus would escape the murderous hatred of the religious leaders. But, incomprehensibly, this was not the case ! He let himself be taken, judged and condemned by these men. Finally, he was crucified outside the walls of Jerusalem. It was necessary to bring down his inanimate body and bury him... The disciples in mourning mourn the beloved Master who performed so many miracles among them, who made all the diabolical powers cede. Why does he seem to have lost all of his power ? Would he abandon them unprotected ? Here is his body lying, inert in the tomb. What will become of them without him ?

At the dawn of the first day of the week, this strange cry sounds : "He is risen !" It is Marie de Magdala who returns from the tomb with other women. These extraordinary words seem like nonsense to the disciples, and they do not believe them (Luke 24.11). However, Peter, whom the angel had specifically mentioned to the women in the message to the disciples (Mark 16. 7), then John, overcome their crippling affliction and run to the tomb. They see with their own eyes the reality of the extraordinary news. More upset than delighted, they return home. During the day the news spreads. It is absolutely necessary to find the other disciples. In the evening, they are all gathered in the upper room. The doors are closed for fear of the Jews : "If they persecuted me they will also persecute you" said the Master (John 15. 20) ; for them, the storm was also approaching...

And now Jesus appears in person. He stands in the midst of them. He said to them : "Peace to you" (John 20. 19), he shows them his pierced hands and side. There is no longer any doubt, it is he. Then the disciples rejoice. No more mourning and tears : the Lord is alive, joy breaks out, mourning is transformed into joy !

Let us rejoice like the disciples of the first hour, because the Lord is alive and victorious !

Source (Pleasing the Lord)