The Gardener
Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” — John 20:15–16 ESV
I have always loved this story in John’s account. Maybe the reason is, like so many other Bible characters, I see myself in Mary Magdalene. She had traveled with her Teacher for many years now; always serving, obedient, and willing to do whatever Jesus asked of her.
Yet here we find her weeping on a hot morning in Jerusalem. Her hopes dashed to pieces after seemingly unfulfilled promises have led her to wonder if the last few years of her life had been a waste. I wonder if like Peter elsewhere in the Gospel accounts, she was tempted to go back to her old life. At least there she could be numb and the tears wouldn't matter so much. Hope seemed to be lost. For once in her life, she had found a man she could believe in and who made her feel safe; but now He was dead and gone. Hope had left a chasm in her soul in which doubt and fear were quickly filling. With what strength she has left, she can only begin to weep.
Then the approach.
I’ve often wondered why Mary mistook Jesus for the gardener. Was He just hanging back, digging in the dirt, watching for the right moment while she cried? Perhaps.
The ever careful Jesus goes right after her heart. “Why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Jesus knows the answer, so why ask?
I believe He was allowing Mary to admit her desperation and need.
Mary had such a strong desire to hold on to some semblance of what had brought her hope that she was willing to hold onto Jesus’ dead body; it was all she had left.
Then comes the moment that changed Mary’s life forever. One word that resounded a familiar bell in her heart…her name.
“Mary”
It was as if Jesus was saying, “Child, you’re safe. There is no need to worry. The wait is over.”
I too have had my share of disappointments in life. Moments that have left me hopeless, weary, angry, and wanting to curse God. I have no doubt Mary felt all of those things in the days following Jesus’ death.
Thankfully, I have the Spirit as a comforter as I make the long journey to a far better country. Where all the death and darkness of this fallen world will be washed away and give birth to new life.
One day I will enter a new garden in eternity. I’d like to think that maybe as I greet everyone, not far off I’ll see a man planting flowers. I’ll see Him and begin to weep, but for a different reason than Mary. Our eyes will meet and Jesus will smile as He approaches. Smelling like flowers and undoubtedly with dirt still under His fingernails, He will say my name.
“Child, you’re safe. There is no need to worry. The wait is over.”
