{"id":120224,"date":"2023-04-12T14:22:13","date_gmt":"2023-04-12T18:22:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kendallharmon.net\/?p=120224"},"modified":"2023-04-12T17:54:44","modified_gmt":"2023-04-12T21:54:44","slug":"charles-spurgeon-for-easter-mary-magdalene-at-the-sepulchre-an-instructive-scene","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kendallharmon.net\/?p=120224","title":{"rendered":"Charles Spurgeon for Easter–Mary Magdalene at the Sepulchre, an Instructive Scene"},"content":{"rendered":"

When a man is not truly seeking the Lord, he wants short sermons, and these of a high literary order, or else adorned with attractive rhetoric. But when he is, with his whole heart, seeking for the Savior, he is not so concerned about polite phrases and ecclesiastical correctness. He looks eagerly for a practical direction how he may come to Jesus, and he will take that from any man or woman, be their station what it may. Let him be a chimneysweep, if he will lead me to Jesus, I will follow.<\/p>\n

So it was with this holy woman. She desired to find the Lord and she was altogether absorbed in that one pursuit. She speaks as if everybody was equally intent upon the one theme. For instead of mentioning the name Jesus, she says, \u201cIf thou hast borne him hence.\u201d Why, Mary, what are you talking about? \u201cAbout Him,\u201d says she. But who is this of whom you speak? Ah, friends! to her there was but one \u201chim\u201d in all the world, just then! Oh, to be thus absorbed!<\/p>\n

Such was the desire of Magdalene to find the Lord Jesus, that she feared no ghastly sight. Let her know where the body is laid and she will be there. That body, which had bled so much from its five wounds, must have been a heart-breaking sight to a tender-hearted woman, but she is not dismayed. Let
\nthe body be how it may, it is the flesh and blood of her dear Lord and she must pay it homage. Wounds or no wounds, she would behold it. A wounded Christ is altogether lovely in the eyes of His redeemed. His blood, flowing for me, clothes Him with a royal crimson robe in my eyes. I fear nothing, so long
\nas I may but come to Him. Dear hearts, if you long for salvation, you will not find fault with those who preach the doctrine of the cross, the wounds, the blood! You will not kick at the doctrine of a crucified Savior, your Substitute condemned at the bar of justice. You want Jesus who died. You must behold
\nHim for yourself by faith and no ridicule of the vain, or sneer of the proud, or cavil of the doubting, can make Him uncomely in your eyes.<\/p>\n

Notice that she dreads no heavy burden. She says, \u201cI will take him away.\u201d Why, Mary, you could not bear away so great a load! You would fall beneath the weight of a man\u2019s corpse! You are not strong enough for the sad task! Ah! but she thought that she could bear the blessed burden and she meant to try!
\nShe would have accomplished it. Faith laughs at impossibility and cries, \u201cIt shall be done.\u201d But love actually performs the deed. A heart that is burning with love has about it a seven-fold energy, whose capacity it would be hard to calculate.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Wishing you a restful Easter Sunday 🙏<\/p>\n

Titian's 'Noli me Tangere' depicts the moment Christ rises from the dead, appearing to his grieving follower, Mary Magdalene.<\/p>\n

Explore the story of the Passion, told through paintings in our collection: https:\/\/t.co\/zOJDC0tC89<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/BlCxBztJ1N<\/a><\/p>\n

— National Gallery (@NationalGallery) April 9, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n