Easter Devotion (Response to COVID-19)

Uncertainty! If I picked one word to describe life with COVID-19, I might pick uncertainty. If you are like me, you find everyday activities disrupted. Activities that I tended to organize and schedule now seem less under my control than ever before. And, this kind of uncertainty can produce fear.

As I read the resurrection account, I realized uncertainty played a role in the unfolding drama. Scripture reveals real, human experiences, especially that of Mary Magdalene, characterized by uncertainty, fear, and, eventually, joy. Often I focus on the outcome: Jesus was resurrected and fellowshipped with the eleven and many others before He commissioned His disciples and ascended into heaven. Yet, the unfolding story provides comfort amidst an event initially defined by uncertainty.

Mark 16:1-4 sets the stage as several women walk to the tomb to anoint Jesus’s body after the Sabbath, three days after His unexpected death and burial. The primary question emerged, who would roll away the stone to permit these women access? But upon arrival, the stone was rolled away, and the women encountered an empty tomb (Mt 28:5-7; Mk 16:5-7)!

These women were bewildered due to this unexpected realization—this uncertainty. Trembling and afraid, they fled from the tomb (Mk 16:8).

And, Mary Magdalene, who reported the empty tomb to Peter and the others (Jn 20:2), returned to the tomb and wept (Mk 16:9; Jn 20:11-17). Through her tears, Mary peered into the grave and pleaded with the two angels sitting there, inquiring as to the whereabouts of Jesus’ body. Mary was seeking certainty! Then, Mary begged Jesus to share the location of Jesus’ body as if He were the gardener. Again, Mary was seeking assurance and certainty (Jn 21:11-15).

Pause for a moment to imagine a time in which you lost something valuable. Consider what happened when you couldn’t immediately locate the item. When you lose something so precious, do you panic? Does anxiety creep up from the pit of your stomach? Do you become frantic, fearful? Add an overarching feeling of grief to your loss. Then envision Mary and her attempts to locate Jesus, turning from one face to another, mind reeling to conjure an explanation.

With one word, Jesus revealed Himself, “Mary!” and dispelled her uncertainty (Jn 21:16).

When the women were reminded of Jesus’ words, that “The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and on the third day be raised,” they realized a search for the body was for naught. Matthew 28:8 tells us the women “hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy.” And though their testimony seemed nonsensical to many, the women returned to the disciples to share their certainty, the good news of Jesus’ resurrection (Lk 24:9-11; Mk 16:12)!

Uncertainty is not a new human experience! Uncertainty has touched all of our lives at one time or another and to varying degrees. Daily life may feel disrupted due to COVID-19, and uncertainty may trouble you and me. But, today is only one point in time—one small segment of an unfolding drama. This Easter season, we know the end is certain. Our resurrected Savior returns, He reconciles us to the Father, and we spend eternity in the presence of our Lord without illness or sorrow.

Let uncertainty with fear give way to joy!

Posted By: Heather St. Peters