The First Witness

 

Early in the morning, just as the light began to stretch over the horizon, Mary Magdalene made her way to the tomb. Her heart must have been so heavy—grieving, confused, still trying to understand how the One who changed everything could be gone. She wasn’t expecting a miracle. She was simply showing up in love and sorrow. She was grieving. 

But what she found changed everything—not just for her, but for all of us.

“Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.” — John 20:1 (ESV)

Imagine being her.  

Standing before an empty tomb, heart pounding, eyes wide. 

The grief she’d carried so tightly suddenly cracked open with confusion—and maybe the tiniest flicker of hope.

She ran to tell the disciples. But later, she returned, still aching, still searching.

“But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb.”— John 20:11 (ESV)

What came next is one of the most intimate and awe-filled moments in all of Scripture.

“Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned and said to him in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means Teacher).” — John 20:16 (ESV)

He called her by name.

Can you feel the emotion in that moment? 

The voice she knew so well. Gentle. Full of power. Full of life—speaking directly to her heart.

Mary Magdalene was not a queen or a prophet. She had been a woman tormented by seven demons, 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝 by Jesus (Luke 8:2). Yet she was the first to see Him risen. The first to carry the gospel message: “He is risen, just as He said.”

“Go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” — John 20:17 (ESV)

Jesus entrusted a woman—a former outcast—with the most important news the world would ever hear.

Mary’s story reminds us that 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐬 𝐮𝐬—even in our darkest grief, even when we feel forgotten or unqualified. He calls us by name. He meets us where we are and then sends us with purpose.

She didn’t need a title. She needed only her testimony.

And neither do we.

Imagine…

What would it have felt like to hear Jesus call your name that morning?

What would you have done, running breathless with the news that changed eternity?

What “tomb” in your life have you stood before weeping—only to later realize that Jesus was already alive and working?

Let Mary’s story breathe hope into your soul today. You are seen. You are loved. And you are called.

“He is not here; He has risen, just as He said.” — Matthew 28:6 (NIV)

Reflection:

     Have you ever had a moment where Jesus “called you by name”? What did it look like?

     In what ways has your life changed because of the resurrection?

     How can you be a witness to the risen Christ today?

Let your heart rest in the wonder of the resurrection—and the reminder that He shows up for those who seek Him, even when all seems lost.

Let Mary’s voice echo through time into your heart today: “I have seen the Lord!” (John 20:18)

The grave could not hold Him. 

He Is Risen! 

Promises Fulfilled! 

Remember, He did not die for a holiday. He died for all of eternity. For you and me. 

BUT THEN... on the third day — The stone rolled away and the grave was empty. Death was defeated. 

He's alive. Risen. 

He sees you!

I encourage you to find a church and go celebrate the Risen King and the Empty Tomb. 

There is hope! 

If this message resonates with you, feel free to share. Let's spread the light together!

With love and hope,

Candye

"...the battle is the Lord's" —1 Samuel 17:47