the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
John Gossner's Treasury
Jesus saith unto her. Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni: which is to say, Master. John 20:15-16.
Indeed, He has "borne" Himself hence. He has raised Himself from the grave. Where has He laid Himself? Mary, in your heart. For he who seeks Him as you have done, already possesses Him. You will fetch Him from afar, and He stands before you. You do not recognize Him, and yet you love Him so unutterably. What a question is this, "Where hast thou laid Him? " My heart, ask Him that question often when He has withdrawn Himself from thee. But ask thyself also this question when you have laid Him away, when you have forsaken Him. For it is often the heart itself that takes Him away; then He will let you seek a long time. If, however, we do not tire, then He tires. He cannot let us go so long a time, seeking Him in sorrow. He comes and calls us by name. A word from Him, even His voice, will make us just as happy as the word, "Mary," made her happy. How much was not this word to her soul! He who understands the language of love does not need many words nor protestations to believe in love. When once He shall meet me, and call me by name, as He did Mary, I shall be blessed through all eternity. In order that we may once be called by name by Him, we are willing to seek and love Him, and continue to be His until He shall come and call His own sheep by name. (John 10:3).
When trouble, like a gloomy cloud,
Has gathered thick and thundered loud.
He near my soul has always stood.
His loving kindness, oh, how good!
Often I feel my sinful heart
Prone from my Jesus to depart;
But though I have Him oft forgot.
His. loving kindness changes not.
