The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

John 20:11-17, “But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; 12 and she beheld two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying. 13 And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”

14 When she had said this, she turned around, and beheld Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 15 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.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means, Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren, and say to them, ‘I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.'”

Our celebration of the Resurrection of our LORD Jesus Christ has just passed. But, it had not passed

for Mary Magdalene. The greeting of angels did not erase her sorrow. Yet, while she spoke with the

angels, she saw Jesus –but in her agony she mistook Him for the gardener. It was only when He spoke

aloud her name that recognized Him. Instantly, and in pure love, she grabbed Him. “Teacher!” It was

understandable that she loved Him. Had He not forgiven her of many sins? Then, somewhat surprisingly,

He lovingly rebuked her saying, “Stop clinging to Me.” The King James translators unfortunately elected

to use the words, “Don’t touch Me!” It was not her “touch”; it was that she would not let go. I have found

You, LORD! I will never let You go!

But Jesus had other plans. Say, what about that repentant thief? Didn’t Jesus say to him, “Today you will

be with Me in paradise?” Where was that man? Is paradise heaven, or did Jesus mean someplace else?

I have attached some information, some visual, that will hopefully open your thoughts about paradise.

Meanwhile, there was something for Mary to do: “go to My brethren.” What He had told her was not to be

kept secret. It was to be shared –shared, so that others might share Him with those who had never heard. How

appropriate for us, as well! And in this age of electronic communication, it is easy for us to express our joy in

knowing Him with others. Remember His final thought to Mary: “…My Father…your Father…, My God… your God.”

We continue to hold each of you in our daily prayers,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”