When Mary Magdalene went to search for Jesus’s body after he was laid to rest, she was surprised to see he was not there. Who she thought was the gardener was Jesus. Supposing him to be the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and remove him.” Jesus said, “Mary!” She knew him then and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbani!”—which means Master. Mary went there broken-hearted. She went to his tomb. Her master, her God, had been crucified. All hope was gone. All security diminished. It seemed that death had won. Mary was telling the supposed gardener to tell her where he was (even though she thought him to be dead). “I will bring him here. I will take care of him.” Mary loved Jesus so much that she wanted to bring him to her and the other disciples. Have you ever felt like anything in your life has been dead, only to find it’s been resurrected? Have you ever been heartbroken beyond belief only to find a newfound hope, a new life you never imagined? I can’t imagine the awe, wonder, and fascination that must’ve been going through Mary’s mind when she learned that Jesus was alive! It meant so much—she ran back to tell the Good news to the other disciples. “Jesus is alive!” She tells them. This changed everything. Hope was alive. Death has lost. Evil had not won. He’s the beginning and the end. The Author and Finisher of Life.🌟🙏☦️
About Zina
Zina Hermez has authored the best selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s been featured on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’ broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World. Zina’s written more than 500 articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world spanning many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT
When king Solomon was asked by God what he wanted in a dream, he asked for wisdom. King Solomon could’ve asked for anything, and he asked to be wise. ‘He chooses an understanding heart. Wisdom, so he can make good decisions for his people. And God is so pleased with Solomon’s choice that He gives him every other good gift, too.’ King Solomon understood the unimportance of material things in comparison with wisdom and obedience to God. He knew his riches were only temporary, and he sought to be loved by God more than anything else. He went on to build one of the greatest temples in Jerusalem known to mankind.
I I think this is one of the hardest lessons, ‘to bear with one another in love,’ despite our differences. Yet, it’s so simple. God requires us to be patient, tolerant, and to carry the spirit of ‘long suffering.’ I have failed at this. I get upset, want to be right, or am not willing to compromise. The need to be right can hinder us. We may very well be right; nonetheless, we have to ‘bear with one another (in love)’ no matter what. The pathway to peace is not always achieved by proving you’re right, but by settling differences. Let it go. Moving forward and hopefully toward a brighter tomorrow.☀️ ‘Happy are the peacemakers; they will be called Sons of God.’ -Matthew 5:9
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