Linger Longer

Let’s begin with a familiar passage of scripture, John 20:1-18 (NKJV) You can read the full passage at BibleGateway.com.

“Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.'”

10 Then the disciples went away again to their own homes. 11 But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept, she stooped down and looked into the tomb. 12

And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 Then they said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?’ She said to them, ‘Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.’ 14 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?’ She, supposing He was the gardener, 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, ‘Rabboni!’ (which is to say, Teacher.)

The Darkest Day

Truly it was a dark time for the followers of Jesus. Their Lord, Master, and Teacher had died a brutal death on a cross, and they did not yet have a complete understanding of the scripture regarding His promise to rise from the dead. In this historical account, Simon Peter, the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and Mary Magdalene went to the tomb. After discovering that the body of Jesus was not in the tomb, the two disciples left and went home, BUT MARY! That’s right — just say it out loud — “BUT MARY!”

But Mary Lingered

Mary chose to stay, and as a result, she had a life-changing encounter with Jesus. The definition of linger is to stay behind or move slowly — to remain, stay, loiter, or persist. Mary chose to stay longer even though the tomb was empty. Even though things looked hopeless, she persisted. And all of a sudden, things began to change. Angels spoke with Mary, and then Jesus Himself encountered her and put everything into perspective.

An Encounter That Changed Everything

She received the comfort and reassurance that she needed. Indeed, Jesus was alive and well. No longer did she need to weep or seek — He was right there. In that miraculous moment, Mary Magdalene received her calling. Yes — her calling. She was chosen by Jesus to spread the news that He is alive and ascending to their Father and their God. Can you even imagine how she must have felt in that moment? Her life was changed forever because she lingered.

What Lingering Cost — and What It Gave

What if she wouldn’t have remained? What if Mary had just given up and gone home like the others? Who would have spread the news about the risen Savior? Ooooo, but she didn’t just leave. She didn’t miss her miracle; she didn’t miss her moment; she didn’t miss her calling — and most importantly, she didn’t miss Jesus! Oh that we would be more like this Mary. Do we rush into His presence only to rush on to the next task? Too often we leave before the miracle arrives.

Linger Longer — Jesus Is Worth the Wait

I’ve decided to learn to linger longer. I don’t want to “miss” Jesus, because after all, He is the true reward of lingering. I pray that you too will see the value and the significance of lingering. It is my prayer that you will linger longer, because Jesus is worth the wait.

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