Resurrection

Mary Simply Stayed

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On Friday night they left the Tomb
And in the darkness prayed
Then sadly went off to their homes
And slowly walked away

But on the Sabbath after dawn
Mary hurried back to bring
The spices for His resting place
In honor for her King

But the tomb was empty
So she went back to call
 The men to come and see that there
Was nothing left at all

So John and Peter ran to see
Only grave clothes there inside
Then wondering they turned and left
As Mary softly cried

Then she heard His footsteps
When she turned she saw a man
But thought He was the gardener
Just passing by as planned

And then He asked her why she wept
And why she was afraid
And He called her name and showed Himself
Because she simply stayed



 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 
John 20:11 ESV

Mary Simply Stayed
By Peter Caligiuri
Copyright © 2025
All rights reserved

One Simple Miracle

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments 
But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 
Matthew 28:5-6 ESV

As we get closer to Easter, we need to remember what our faith is really about. Christianity is not about big church buildings, Christian concerts with special effects or elaborate social programs. Instead, all that we are and everything we do is based on one single morning at a tomb. The body of Jesus was supposed to be inside it. The priests were counting on it, because they had sent soldiers to guard it. Pilate was sure of it, because it was shut with a Roman seal. Even the closest friends of Jesus believed He would be there because they went with spices to prepare the body. And the grave was shut. The tomb was silent. The death from crucifixion was final…. Until it wasn’t!

“You seek Jesus who was crucified” the angel said. “He is not here for He has risen as He said!” And in that moment all History turned on the hinge of one simple miracle - an empty tomb and our risen Lord!

Resurrection Joy

/ pastorpete51 / 6 Comments

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.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). John 20:15-16 ESV

When Charles Wesley penned these words back in 1739, he put into song, the joy that Mary Magdalene must have felt on that first resurrection morning. Remember that she had come to anoint the body of Jesus, not meet with Him. Her main concern had revolved around the question of who would roll back the stone, so she could get in to pay her last respects. Little did she realize that Jesus had chosen her to be the very first person to see Him after He had risen from the dead. Sometimes our biggest worries must seem awfully small to Jesus, and yet He takes time to come where we are, call us by name and is willing to show Himself to us as well. Will we only dare to believe?