The First to Tell — Mary Magdalene and the Risen Lord - April 5, 2026

Summary

Mother Suzanne celebrates Easter by highlighting Mary Magdalene as the first apostle who stayed at the empty tomb when others fled, recognizing Jesus when he called her by name. She connects Mary's faithful witness to three baptisms happening that morning - Mykala, Jacob, and baby Zachary - emphasizing that Jesus has also called each of them by name to be his beloved children. On this resurrection day, these new Christians are charged with the same task as Mary: to tell others they have seen the Lord.

The Gospel                                                             John 20:1-18    

 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed 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.” Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes.

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” 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 Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because 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 she told them that he had said these things to her. 

Artwork:  From 12th Century St. Albans psalter: Mary Magdalene Announces the Resurrection to the Apostles

Transcript

Mother Suzanne:

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good. His mercies endure forever. In the name of the one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen. Please be seated. Well, good morning, one have traveled the difficult road with Jesus this week. And finally, we have arrived to our blessed resurrection day. Thanks be to God that Jesus is alive and our sorrow is no more. Death has been replaced with life. And if you didn't know, we are resurrection people. And it's more than fitting that on Easter, the day of resurrection. We see the full extent of this lived out by one of my most favorite people in all of scripture. Mary. Mary Magdalene, the first to go and tell that Jesus is resurrected. Maybe that's why she's led to the tomb at an hour in which daylight has not yet come. She can't wait any longer. She has to come.

She has to check the cup.

But now it is the place where his body is laid. Once dressed, she begins to walk towards the garden and there is a sense of urgency she feels. I know that feeling because I had that feeling when I was driving here this morning. I'm not going to tell you how fast I drove to get here. Within a few minutes, Mary arrives at the garden and she carefully guides herself back to the tomb. It's dark. And so she puts her hands out in front of her to feel the way. She now feels the tomb. She knows that she's there. Something is terribly amiss. Really, really amiss. She knows because she saw yesterday a big rock was once in front of the tomb and it is no longer there. She knows this because she is now standing in the tomb. And in an instance, she realizes that the stone has been rolled away.

This is almost too much for her to take in. She doesn't know what to think. So as quickly as she can, she runs. She runs to find Simon Peter. Surely, surely he will know what to do. So Mary finds him and she says this. They've taken his body and I don't know where they have put him. Well, Simon Peter is alarmed and with the other disciple whom Jesus loved, they begin in an all- out sprint to the tomb. They get there. They go in. There's just enough light now, and they both see that the tomb has nothing in it. Nothing except a few strips of linen.

Whether these disciples were so overcome with fear or grief or just simply didn't know what to do, they decided to go home. They left. Bye-bye. The disciples go home. But there is one. There is one who stayed. She stayed. And she stood outside the tomb. Who is it? Mary Magdalene. She's the one who stayed. In fact, Mary is the only person at the empty tomb in all four gospel accounts. Let it be clear. Everyone needs to know Mary stayed. She did not run. Mary clearly demonstrates either the deepest human love or perhaps, and this is what I think is more true, the highest spiritual understanding of who Jesus was.

Maybe even a little bit of both. Mary, she looks in the tomb once more, and this time she's stunned because all of a sudden there are two beings there. Angels. Angels sitting where Jesus' body had been laid. And just as plain as day of seeing angels with an everyday occurrence, they say to Mary, "Why are you crying?" And without hesitating, she says. "Well, they've taken my Lord away and I don't know where they have laid him. "As soon as these words were uttered from Mary, she turned around and she saw somebody else. A man, a man who hadn't been there, he must be the gardener, but maybe he isn't. He looks at her and gently says," Why are you weeping and who are you looking for?

"Well, Mary by this time was kind of tired of answering that question. So in desperation, Mary says," Sir, if you have carried him away, just tell me where he is. Tell me. "And sinceing her desperation and growing worry, Jesus speaks one word, Mary. The hairs on the back of her neck stand up, goosebumps run down her spine, her ears perk up. The grief that has been so heavy in her heart is all of a sudden suspended in one word and she instinctively responds Rabonai. Rabonai. Teacher. She knows that it's Jesus because she has heard him say her name many times.

And with certainty, she knows this voice and there is no longer any doubt. This man is not the gardener. Her master has called her by name. Mary's heart can't be contained. She has to share her joy and this wonderful news to everyone. She will be the one to let everyone know that she has seen the Lord. She is the first apostle, which on all accounts makes this woman Mary Magdalene. The one the church hasn't known what to do with for so long. She is the first apostle. She is the one who was sent by Jesus.

On a day such as this, there is power in resurrection. There is power because what happened changed the world. And it is also changing the lives of people here at Grace. We have three this morning. Three holy baptisms that we get to witness this morning. Michaela, Jacob, and our baby Zachary. For what it's worth, you need to know. Jesus has called you also by name, just like he did with Mary. You responded just like Mary. You have said Jesus. Yes. Michaela, firstly, the earnestness in you to be called a child of God is palpable. Your face, your beautiful face lights up every time I mention your baptism. You and Jacob, your fiance, who was just confirmed a few weeks ago, came to grace as a newly engaged couple. Get this guys. Wanting to start their engagement and married life with God and the church at the center of it.

Can you believe it?

Unheard of, really. But that's your story. You have faithfully attended worship and I know you want to be baptized with all of your heart. There is no hesitation. You've been full of longing and I know you are ready. Thanks be to God. And Mr. Jacob. There is a saying in the church and I'm going to fight tears, but this young man has done it. And I'm about to tell you what you've done, Jacob. Oftentimes, children are the ones who bring their parents back to church. Jacob, you have done just that. You have wisdom that is far beyond your years and the love of God that goes before you.

There is something very, very special about you, young man. You're welcome. And I'm not sure if I've ever known anybody to be as excited about baptism as you or your parents. I am grateful for your witness, Jacob. You're welcome. And last but not least, Zachary or Zachy as your mamas like to call you. You, little boy, are a miracle. An answer to prayer that is blessed your parents. You were born right before Christmas, so well timed for the precious gift that you are, Zachary. You have filled the hole in your mama's hearts which yearned for a baby to raise and love.

Little did I know that the same is true for your precious grandmothers, abuelas too. Zachary, your name means God has remembered. You will never be forgotten, nor the prayers and please of Cindy and Tati and all of those who joined in asking God for a miracle. God has remembered. Thanks be to God. In an age when many have little interest in the things of God, each of you have consistently come to this sacred space. The exception is baby Zachary. Today is his first service at Grace. He's only a little over three months old and it is his baptism day. Pretty special.

Each of you have answered the call by Jesus in which he said, Michaela, beloved daughter. Jacob, you're my beloved son. Zachary, you are my beloved son. And on one of the most glorious days of the year, you will be marked and sealed as Christ's own forever. And you, this is the important part. You will be charged with a task that was given to Mary, to let others know that you have seen the Lord and that you love him. You will serve the Lord the rest of your days. Your baptism is your entryway into the kingdom of God. And you will have the rest of your life to tell the story of Jesus, the risen Christ. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Christ is risen indeed. Amen.

Mother Suzanne:

May the Lord my T Lord bless and keep you forever. Granting peace. Perfect peace. Courage in every. Lift your rise and see his face. Know his grace forever. May the Lord my tee Lord bless and keep you forever.

Mother Suzanne:

In the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit rest upon you this Easter day, this day of resurrection and always. Amen.