Now What?

Have you ever been really disappointed in someone or something? When was the last time you were really disappointed? This past year we have dealt with many disappointments and tragedies. Tornadoes,  mass shootings, and now the coronavirus.  In moments like these, it's easy to feel paralyzed. To feel shocked. To be angry. To be hopeless. What can we do? What do we say? Where do we even start? 

In some ways, that is exactly how the followers of Jesus felt after he was crucified, especially Mary Magdalene. Before she became a follower of Jesus, He cast seven demons out of her. And you thought you had some issues!  All her hopes and plans for the future, hinged on Him. And when she watched Him die, it meant watching her hopes and future die as well. It was painful and disappointing. There were no instructions on what to do next. She was stuck. There was something going on though, that Mary could not see in her grief. Believe it or not, the Easter holiday we just celebrated, began as a "Now what?" moment for the followers of Jesus.

"Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first." ‭ - John‬ ‭20‬:‭1-4‬ NIV

The story goes on...

Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her:

“Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”   - John‬ ‭20‬:‭11-15‬ NIV

Mary is in a "Now What?" moment. She is afraid, panicked, confused, and overwhelmed with sadness and grief. She does not know what to do.

Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).  - John‬ ‭20‬:‭16‬ NIV

When you're discouraged or in a bad place, when you feel alone or depressed during this season, you have a Savior who is capable. A Savior who is alive! Your problems might be bigger than you, but they're not bigger than Him. When you find yourself asking God "Now What?"

The answer will always be...Jesus.