Digging Deeper – The Power of Spiritual Vision in the Resurrection

There are so many reasons why the resurrection of Jesus is important to my Christian faith—and yours. It proves to me, and to the whole world, that Jesus is who He said He is. But the most important reason for me is that His resurrection allows me to see the Lord, just as Mary did.

Spiritual vision is not a given; it is a product of grace. Let’s think about that together for a few days.

Mary, along with Mary the mother of James and others, came to the tomb following the Sabbath to anoint Jesus’ body and prepare it for burial. Jesus had told His disciples—including the women—on several occasions, that He would be betrayed into the hands of evil men, that He would be crucified and that He would die, but that on the third day He would rise again. This was a theme throughout His three-year ministry.

Yet not Mary, nor the disciples tucked away in an upper room hiding, remembered it. Or, if they remembered it, they did not believe it. And from a human perspective, who could blame them? They had watched it all unfold and had run away (at least most of the men did). They saw with their physical eyes that Jesus was dead and now buried in a borrowed tomb.

But Mary was allowed to see Jesus with spiritual eyes. In verse 14 of this text, Mary’s eyes were still closed to the truth Jesus had taught about rising again. But when He called her by name, Mary’s eyes were opened—and she could see Jesus, maybe for the very first time.

So that is my observation and interpretation of this story.

So what is the application of it? Here goes:

• Does the weight of life keep me from seeing Jesus in my life?
• Am I looking into the tomb of despair and feeling broken, not exhilarated by its emptiness—even when the pain of loss lingers?
• Am I excited to tell the others that I HAVE SEEN THE LORD, and that He has RISEN, JUST AS HE SAID?

Has Jesus opened your eyes?