Person, I’ve been waiting all week because you told me there’s more to the story.

But I don’t know how there can be.

I mean, they nailed Jesus to a cross and He died.

Isn’t that the end of the story?

I’m listening, but I don’t think you’ll have anything to say.

***

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.

***

I knew it!

There’s no more story about Jesus. You’re telling me a story about Mary Magdalene.

I have to have patience???

***

So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

***

Why would anyone want to take Jesus if He already died?

I am listening.

***

So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.

***

I bet I could have run faster.

Yes, I’m listening.

***

He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside.

***

It’s about time.

***

He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)

***

Jesus had to what!?

I’m listening for sure now.

***

Then the disciples went back to their homes, but Mary stood outside the tomb crying.

***

Maybe if I gave her some loves she’d feel better.

***

As Mary wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

***

I knew it!

This story isn’t about Jesus. It’s about angels showing up instead.

I’ll listen! I’ll listen!

***

The angels asked Mary, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this she turned and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

***

I would have known it was Jesus.

***

“Woman,” Jesus said, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

Thinking He was the gardener she said, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him.”

Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned toward Him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means teacher).

***

Maybe Mary Magdalene was blind. She only recognized Jesus when she heard Him say her name.

***

Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”

Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that He had said these things to her.

***

I don’t care what Jesus said. I wouldn’t have let go of him.

I would have attached Him to my leash or something so He couldn’t go missing again.