As Mary Magdalene in the Garden

“Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him’…But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb….Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 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). Jesus said to her, ‘Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father, but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father to my God and your God.’ Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’—and that he said these things to her.” -John 20:12; 11, 14-18. ESV (Read John 20)

As Mary Magdalene in the Garden

Mary Magdalene went early

Before the dawning light

Had spread abroad the sunshine

To give the darkness light.

Sadness filled her heart,

For lo, her Lord was dead.

He who had promised life and hope

Had died with thorn-crowned head.

Frightened was she when she saw

The sepulcher’s stone awry;

Who had taken the Lord’s body?

Was it not enough for Him to die?

To Peter and the other disciples

She ran, in tears, and said:

“They have taken away His body;

Wherever could He be laid?”

Peter and another went to find

That Mary’s word was true.

No longer did the grave hold Him;

Only burial clothes there to view.

The disciples left and went home,

But Mary lingered there;

Weeping in the dark garden,

And mourning for the Lord so fair.

Then a voice said, “Mary!”

And when He spoke she knew

It was her Lord triumphant!

“Rabboni!” she said, “This is you!”

“I have a message for you to bear:

Tell the disciples I now live!

As I told them when I taught,

This message of life you must give!”

Mary in the garden was afraid

When lingering shades of night

Still surrounded the tomb;

But then what a glorious Light!

The very Son of God arose

Victorious over the grave;

And to Mary Magdalene His servant,

The glorious message He gave.

She went telling the disciples:

“I have seen the Lord!”

He lives, He conquered death,

We have this Word

To tell others that death

No longer over us reigns;

But Christ the Lord is risen,

Now my soul forever sings!

As Mary in the garden,

We need not fear shades of night,

Knowing that Life awaits us

In His marvelous, life-changing Light.

-Ethelene Dyer Jones

I wrote this poem March 23, 2005 for Easter, 2005. I brought the poem out of my file and am sharing it again Easter, 2018. May reading it bless you as I was inspired and blessed to write and now to share it. To God be the glory! And deepest gratitude to Jesus Christ, who made our facing death a passage through the “Valley of the Shadow of Death” to our own victorious resurrection. Thank you, God, for our friends, family members who are enjoying this year their “First Resurrection Sunday in Heaven!” May we know on earth a “foretaste” of the glory to come when we, too, join that happy throng in Heaven! Amen and Amen! 04.01.2018.

Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken

“Glorious things of thee are spoken, O city of God.” – Psalm 87:3 (KJV).

It was early in the morning on the first day of the week. The sun had not yet risen. It was still dark, as we learn from John 20:1. Mary Magdalene, early, was at the tomb where Jesus had been laid and found the stone rolled away and the body gone. She hurried to tell Peter. Peter and the other disciple (probably John, who wrote the account) hurried to the tomb and found it empty. “They did not understand the Scripture, the he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.” (John 20:9-10).

But Mary Magdalene remained in the garden, weeping near the tomb. As she stooped to look into the tomb, she saw two angels who asked her why she was weeping. Turning from the tomb, she saw someone whom she supposed to be the gardener. He asked her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” (John 20:15), It was only when her name was called, “Mary!” did she recognize the One speaking to her as the risen Lord, and she cried out: “ ‘Rabboni!’ (which means Teacher).” Jesus then gave Mary Magdalene a mission to go and tell the disciples that He was risen and would ascend to His Father. The mission for which Jesus came into the world had been completed. He died a sacrificial death. He arose victorious. “Go…tell.” This is a command still reverberating through the ages.

From Zion, holy city of God in the heavens, Jesus came to earth, ministered and taught for a few brief years, and then death claimed Him, a sacrificial death on the cross. And on that resurrection morning after being in the grave three days, he broke the bonds of death and the grave. These earthly events took place in and around the earthly city of Zion, or Jerusalem. From Zion flowed out the good news to all people. “He is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!” Jesus gave new meaning to the city of God, Zion, the new Jerusalem.

Because of His death and resurrection, we, too, can know life and expect to live in that heavenly city.

John Newton (1725-1807), great poet and songwriter, spurred by the scripture from Psalm 87:3, wrote the words to the hymn, “Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken” which tells of the place where we in victory will one day meet and live with the Lord of Glory. Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) composed the majestic tune selected to go with Newton’s words. Think “glory!” as you hum or sing this song on this Resurrection Day:

      “Glorious things of thee are spoken, Zion, city of our God.

       He whose word cannot be broken, Formed thee for His own abode;

       On the Rock of Ages founded, What can shake thy sure repose?

       With salvation’s walls surrounded, Thou may smile at all thy foes.

      “See, the streams of living waters, Springing from eternal love,

       Well supply thy sons and daughters, And all fear of want remove;

       Who can faint, while such a river Ever does their thirst assuage?

       Grace which, like the Lord the giver, Never fails from age to age.

       Round each habitation hovering, See the cloud and fire appear

       For a glory and a covering, Showing that the Lord is near!

       Glorious things of thee are spoken, Zion, city of our God;

       He whose word cannot be broken, Formed thee for His own abode.”

-Ethelene Dyer Jones 03.27.2016

That Which Is “Far Off and Exceedingly Deep”

“All this I have proved by wisdom. I said, ‘I will be wise.’ But it was far from me. As for that which is far off and exceedingly deep, Who can find out? I applied my heart to know, To search and seek out wisdom and the reason of things –Ecclesiastes 7:23-25. “For I considered all this in my heart, so that I could declare it all: that the righteous and the wise and their works are in the hand of God. People know neither love nor hatred by anything that is before them. Everything occurs alike to all.” –Ecclesiastes 9:1-2a. Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed’ ” –John 20:29 (NKJV).

So much escapes our knowledge. As the writer of Ecclesiastes laments: “that which is far off and exceedingly deep, who can find out?” We may study the Bible sincerely, but its rich mine of knowledge and spiritual wisdom may escape our understanding. Are we in despair? In our efforts “to search and seek out wisdom and the reason of things,” can we gain enough knowledge to give assurance along life’s pathway? Sometimes, we like the “assembly man,” --for that is the meaning of Ecclesiastes, the one who calls a religious assembly or who is its spokesman or preacher—think, “vanity of vanity, all is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). But, fortunately for the wisdom-seeker, Ecclesiastes, the “assembly-man,” there is an optimistic conclusion to his searching: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments. For this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, Whether it is good or whether it is evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, NKJV).

I concluded the cited verses above with John 20:29 for a specific reason. Jesus had already appeared after His resurrection from the dead to some of the disciples. Thomas had not yet seen the risen Christ and had made the statement, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe” (John 20:25). Eight days later, Thomas was with the disciples when Jesus appeared to them. Jesus invited Thomas to reach and touch His nail-scarred hands and His pierced side. But seeing Jesus was enough. Thomas did not have to touch His Lord to believe. Then Jesus made an astounding statement that includes you and me and any believers: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29, NKJV). It is possible through the eyes of faith to see that which is “far off and exceedingly deep” (Eccl. 7:24). “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9, NKJV. The necessity for faith is clearly stated in Habakkuk 3:4b as the prophet forth tells the vision that would come: “The just shall live by his faith.” This statement became the central thrust of Martin Luther’s “95 Theses” so boldly proclaimed in 1517 in Germany at the beginning of the Reformation.

I am amazed and grateful that the findings of archaeologists are unraveling that which is “far off and exceedingly deep.” For those who would criticize and term many of the events and people of the Bible as myths and legends, archeology is proving the Bible events to be true. Beneath the Gulf of Aquaba (the Red Sea) Egyptian chariot wheels and other artifacts have been found, proving the event of the Hebrews crossing on dry land and the Egyptian army and all their equipment being covered and destroyed with water. This find gave proof indeed that God did what was recorded in Exodus. These discoveries give insight to the awesome mystery and wonder of God, the omnipotent, omniscient One. We have adequate knowledge of His work to link us in faith to the Savior God. As the father of the sick child may we pray: “Lord, I believe! Help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24b). –Ethelene Dyer Jones 07.12.2015

That Which Is “Far Off and Exceedingly Deep”

“All this I have proved by wisdom. I said, ‘I will be wise’; But it was far from me. As for that which is far off and exceedingly deep, Who can find out? I applied my heart to know, To search and seek out wisdom and the reason of things.” –Ecclesiastes 7:23-25 (NKJV). “For I considered all this in my heart, so that I could declare it all: that the righteous and the wise and their works are in the hand of God. People know neither love nor hatred by anything that is before them. Everything occurs alike to all.” –Ecclesiastes 9:1-2a (NKJV). Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” – John 20:29.

So much escapes our knowledge. As the writer of Ecclesiastes laments: “that which is far off and exceedingly deep, who can find out?” We may study the Bible sincerely, but its rich mine of knowledge and spiritual wisdom may escape our understanding. Are we to despair? In our efforts “to search and seek out wisdom and the reason of things” can we gain enough knowledge to give us assurance along life’s pathway? Sometimes we, like the “assembly man”—for that is the meaning of Ecclesiastes, the one who calls a religious assembly or who is its spokesman or preacher—think: “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). But, fortunately for the wisdom-seeker, Ecclesiastes, the “assembly-man,” there is an optimistic conclusion to his searching: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, Whether it is good or whether it is evil” (-Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, NKJV).

I concluded the cited verses above with John 20:29 for a specific reason. Jesus had already appeared after His resurrection from the dead to some of the disciples. Thomas had not yet seen the resurrected Christ and had made the statement: “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe” (John 20:25). Eight days later, Thomas was with the disciples when Jesus appeared to them. He invited Thomas to reach and touch His nail-scarred hands and His pierced side. But seeing Jesus was enough. Thomas did not have to touch His Lord to believe. Then Jesus made an astounding statement that includes you and me and any believers: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29, NKJV). It is possible, through the eyes of faith, to see that which is “far off and exceedingly deep.” “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9, NKJV). The necessity for faith is clearly stated in Habakkuk 3:4b as the prophet forth-tells the vision that would come: “The just shall live by his faith.” This statement became the central thrust of Martin Luther’s “95 Theses” so boldly proclaimed in 1517 in Germany, the document that started the Reformation.

I am amazed and grateful that the findings of archaeologists are unraveling that which is “far off and exceedingly deep.” For those who would criticize and term many of the events and people of the Bible as myths and legends, archaeology is proving them true. Beneath the Gulf of Aquaba (the Red Sea) have been found Egyptian chariot wheels and other artifacts of that event in the history of God’s people and their protection and safety as God led and provided. Much will still remain “far off and exceedingly deep” for us. Part of it is the awesome mystery and wonder of God, the omnipotent, omniscient One. We have enough of His revelation and wisdom to link us in faith to Him. As the father of the sick child may we pray: “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24b).  Ethelene Dyer Jones 11.09.2014

That Which Is “Far Off and Exceedingly Deep”

“All this I have proved by wisdom. I said, ‘I will be wise’; But it was far from me. As for that which is far off and exceedingly deep, Who can find out? I applied my heart to know, To search and seek out wisdom and the reason of things.” –Ecclesiastes 7:23-25 (NKJV). “For I considered all this in my heart, so that I could declare it all: that the righteous and the wise and their works are in the hand of God. People know neither love nor hatred by anything that is before them. Everything occurs alike to all.” –Ecclesiastes 9:1-2a (NKJV). Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” – John 20:29.

So much escapes our knowledge. As the writer of Ecclesiastes laments: “that which is far off and exceedingly deep, who can find out?” We may study the Bible sincerely, but its rich mine of knowledge and spiritual wisdom may escape our understanding. Are we to despair? In our efforts “to search and seek out wisdom and the reason of things” can we gain enough knowledge to give us assurance along life’s pathway? Sometimes we, like the “assembly man”—for that is the meaning of Ecclesiastes, the one who calls a religious assembly or who is its spokesman or preacher—think: “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). But, fortunately for the wisdom-seeker, Ecclesiastes, the “assembly-man,” there is an optimistic conclusion to his searching: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, Whether it is good or whether it is evil” (-Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, NKJV).

I concluded the cited verses above with John 20:29 for a specific reason. Jesus had already appeared after His resurrection from the dead to some of the disciples. Thomas had not yet seen the resurrected Christ and had made the statement: “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe” (John 20:25). Eight days later, Thomas was with the disciples when Jesus appeared to them. He invited Thomas to reach and touch His nail-scarred hands and His pierced side. But seeing Jesus was enough. Thomas did not have to touch His Lord to believe. Jesus then made an astounding statement that includes you and me and any believers: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29, NKJV). It is possible, through the eyes of faith, to see that which is “far off and exceedingly deep.” “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9, NKJV). The necessity for faith is clearly stated in Habakkuk 3:4b as the prophet foretells the vision that would come: “The just shall live by his faith.” This statement became the central thrust of Martin Luther’s “95 Theses” that started the Reformation so boldly proclaimed in Germany in 1517.

The findings of archaeologists are unraveling that which is “far off and exceedingly deep.” For critics who want to claim events of the Bible as myths and legends, archaeology is proving the accounts true. Beneath the Gulf of Aquaba (the Red Sea) Egyptian chariot wheels and other artifacts have been found. These point to the ancient Egyptians burial by water as they tried to pursue the Israelites who crossed the Red Sea on dry land. The artifacts offer proof of that event in the history. Much still is “far off and exceedingly deep” for us. Much is yet to be learned of the awesome mystery and wonder of God, the omnipotent, omniscient One. But we have enough of His revelation and wisdom to link us in faith to Him. As the father of the sick child may we pray: Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24b). -Ethelene Dyer Jones 10.05.2014