John‬ ‭20‬:‭11‬-‭17‬ ‭TPT‬‬ “Mary arrived back at the tomb, broken and sobbing. She stooped to peer inside, and through her tears, she saw two angels in dazzling white robes, sitting where Jesus’ body had been laid—one at the head and one at the feet! “Dear woman, why are you crying?” they asked. Mary answered, “They have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they’ve laid him.” Then she turned around to leave, and there was Jesus standing in front of her, but she didn’t realize that it was him! He said to her, “Dear woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for? “Mary answered, thinking he was only the gardener, “Sir, if you have taken his body somewhere else, tell me, and I will go and . . .” “Mary,” Jesus interrupted her. Turning to face him, she said, “Rabboni!” (Aramaic for “My teacher!”)

Jesus cautioned her, “Mary, don’t cling to me, for I haven’t yet ascended to God, my Father. And he’s not only my Father and God, but now he’s your Father and your God! Now go to my brothers and tell them what I’ve told you, that I am ascending to my Father—and your Father, to my God—and your God!” John‬ ‭20‬:‭18‬ ‭TPT‬‬ “Then Mary Magdalene left to inform the disciples of her encounter with Jesus. “I have seen the Lord!” she told them. And she gave them his message.” John 20:11-17 *Mary arrived ‘Back’ at the tomb. ⁃ ‘Back at the tomb’ suggests she was there before! ⁃ Why return to the place that gave a sense of ‘Finality’? This was where she last saw the body of the Lord Buried—buried, yes, laid to Rest. A seeming final rite. ⁃ It was, however, to that same place she was led for New Answers. For the Way Forward.