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Why Are You Crying?
Jesus Crazy Questions

He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?… " John 20:15

Jesus asked Mary Magdalene this question outside the tomb on resurrection morning.

Mary had been through hell the last three days. She had watched the Person she loved be arrested on false charges, mocked, tortured and finally hung up to die in agonizing pain and public humiliation. Her religious leaders had betrayed her. Her friends were confused - dazed. All her hopes and dreams were shattered. She had believed Jesus was the Messiah. She had invested everything she had in Him…and now it was gone…wasted…useless…. She wanted to die herself. The meaning of life had been taken away.

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The only thing she could do was go with her friends to properly prepare the body for burial. But now the body was gone…stolen…would this nightmare never end? She rushed back to tell the disciples who were hiding in fear and accompanied two of them back to the empty tomb. They were no help… no encouragement. This was the last straw. This was the end.

Sobbing and crying, she stood by the tomb…the empty tomb…without hope…without purpose…

A voice intrudes on her torment and asks, “Why are you crying?”

What thoughts went through her mind when she was interrupted in her intense grief with that question? Anyone with intelligence would know the events of the last three days. They would know she was outside His tomb. It should be obvious.

Was she irritated or perhaps too discouraged to care? Then she realized that the only person who was likely to be there at this time of day was the gardener. He must know where the body had been moved to. She turned to look at the speaker, hoping he could give her some closure. If it had been the gardener, then perhaps we could understand the question. But Jesus? Who knew better than He what had happened in the last three days? Who knew better than He why she was weeping by the tomb? Why such a crazy question?

Why Are You Crying?

Like us, many times, Mary was trapped in the moment. She couldn’t see ahead. All she could do was feel the pain coursing through her raw emotions. We all know some days are so dark it takes all a person's strength just to put one foot in front of another to get through it.

But Jesus knew what she did not—the time for tears had passed. Mary was standing on the verge of the most significant revelation in the history of the world. Mary was just about to find out that 4,000 years of prophecy had just been fulfilled. Mary was about to be honoured as the first person to witness the Resurrection - the event that would change millions upon millions of lives and the very course of history itself. She was there. She was experiencing a moment that would never come again…not to her…not to anyone! Sin was destroyed! Satan defeated! The Kingdom of God has come! Eternal Life is given to all who would accept it!

Within the next few minutes, she would be entering the most exciting time of her life. Joy would overflow. Tears would be no more. Jesus was alive! It was going to be ok!

Yet now she was crying because she didn’t know…she couldn’t see…but a tender voice asked a crazy question…trying to draw her from herself and raise her vision.

Yes, there is a time for crying. Yes, we do sorrow - but we do not sorrow as those who have no hope. Christ is risen! In Him, there is always hope for the future.

When we, as Christians, stand in the ashes of our lives…When all our dreams and hopes have come crashing down around us…When we stand alone…confused…and no one understands…then, weep if you must, but listen…listen to a gentle voice, “Why are you crying? I am risen! I am in control! Trust Me.”

You never can tell what the future will hold. When all seems to be lost, you might just be on the edge of the greatest point of your life. Although you can not see it as you are caught in the grief of a moment of time, there is One Who can see it. Listen to His voice, take His hand. Trust His wisdom. Lift your voice in praise and thanksgiving - not for the pain - but that Christ is risen. Let His loving voice whisper to your troubled heart. Hear His words, "I love you. I am with you. You are never alone. I will see you through the dark valley until you come to the green meadow on the other side. I will never let you go."

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