"Making Things Right"

 "Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her." (John 20:18 KJV)

  "Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many." (Hebrews 12:14-15 NLT)

 Hopefully you are starting the New Year out well, making every effort to not be offended, or offend anyone else! This is one of the things we are called to do, make peace! That includes yourself, which is probably the hardest person that you will have to deal with, because it is so hard to forgive yourself; it is like some sort of bad habit, that just doesn't go away. 

 Anywho; what I believe we are witnessing today, is Jesus doing what He does best: Helping us to make things right! If we take a step back, looking at the issues that might be hard to notice, there are two very serious ones, which might go unnoticed, but do not go unfelt. 

 The first of which was Mary's mistake; as she came to the tomb, early that morning, seeing the tomb was open and Jesus was gone, she assumed immediately that someone had stolen the body. At which time, see ran and told the disciples that the body had been stolen. 

 Secondly, when the two disciples ran to the tomb, Mary followed behind and was very upset. After the two disciples had appraised the situation, not really knowing what could have happened, but what might have happened, based upon the napkin; they then left Mary there, drowning in her sorrow. 

 I know, it seems as if it could have been worse, and it should have been better; but this is what we do, as we deal with our emotions, as if that is an easy thing to do! The problem with most of this, is that we really don't realize that we have offended someone, if we don't feel for them or pay attention to their needs. Sometimes it just takes hanging out, being moral support, as if you just are there in case, they might need you. 

 Again, Jesus knows our hearts! He sees what we need, and He knows how we can make things right, by just telling us what we should do; at which time, we must listen and obey, just as He tells us...

"Understand this, my brothers and sisters: you must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don't obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it." (James 1:19-25 NLT)