Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Playing by the Rules”
Our Bible verse for today: “Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: ‘I have seen the Lord!” John 20:18 (NIV)
Our thought for today: “Good things happen to those who are consistently where they’re supposed to be.”
Mary Magdalene holds the honorable distinction of having been the first person to see the resurrected Lord Jesus. Of all the followers of Jesus who could have been selected by God for that honor, it was given to Mary. Why was that? Why not Peter or James or John?
Well, because Peter, James, and John weren’t there. It was Mary who got up early that day and went to the tomb and discovered it was empty. Granted, upon hearing the news about the empty tomb Peter and John did run to the tomb to see for themselves, but then they turned around and went home again. Mary stayed and as a result she saw Jesus.
Every time any of the four gospel writers lists a group of women who were near Jesus during His death, burial, and resurrection, the name of Mary Magdalene is always there. She was there at Jesus’ crucifixion (Matthew 27:56); She was there when Joseph took Jesus off of the cross (Mark 15:47); she was there when he placed Jesus in the tomb (Mathew 27:61); and she was there on this resurrection morning to find the empty tomb and then to see the resurrected Jesus.
I love the observation made by the editors of “The Leadership Bible” about Mary Magdalene: “Mary was present because she had demonstrated a commitment and faithfulness to her Lord that was rare among his followers. She was there at the right moment because she was always there. Good things happen to people who are faithful, committed, and consistently available!”
This is why Hebrews 10:24-25 so emphatically tells us that we are not to neglect our times of gathering together. It’s because the blessings belong to those who show-up. And what happens when you don’t show-up? You miss the blessings! Take a moment to read about the blessing Thomas missed because he was absent at a time when he should have been there. He also didn’t get to see Jesus at a time when he otherwise would have (John 20:19-25).
One of the rules for life in the kingdom of God is that the blessings belong to those who show-up. Miss the moment and you miss the blessing. Good things happen to those who are consistently where they’re supposed to be.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 