“Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: ‘I have seen the Lord!’ And she told them that he had said these things to her.” John 20:18 (NIV) Mary left the garden knowing she would not be believed. In…
“At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.” John 20:14 (NIV) Mary did not figure anything out before she turned around. She had no new information, no sign, no…
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for…
“Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means ‘Teacher’).” John 20:16 (NIV) One word was all it took, and that word was her name. Mary had been weeping, searching, and asking…
“Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means ‘Teacher’).” John 20:16 (NIV) She came to tend a body, not meet a risen Lord. Mary Magdalene arrived at the tomb before sunrise…
“The Levites calmed all the people, saying, ‘Be still, for this is a holy day. Do not grieve.’ Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because…
“Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, ‘This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.’ For all…
“They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning, so that the people understood what was being read.” Nehemiah 8:8 (NIV) God never intended to confuse you. Every time the Word felt…
“Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands…
“All the people came together as one in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the teacher of the Law to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel.” Nehemiah…