John 20:14–18 (ESV)

14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 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.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 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.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.

5 Lessons of a Present Witness - and What They Reveal About God

1) Keep Looking

1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

2 O my God, in you I trust;

let me not be put to shame;

let not my enemies exult over me.

3 Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;

they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

4 Make me to know your ways, O Lord;

teach me your paths.

5 Lead me in your truth and teach me,

for you are the God of my salvation;

for you I wait all the day long.

Psalm 25:1-5 (ESV)

God reveals Himself to those who keep seeking Him.

John 20:11 (ESV)
11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb.

Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV)

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

Psalm 27:13–14
“I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord… wait for the Lord…”

2) Don’t Hold Back

God draws near to the humble and those who know they need Him

John 20:13 (ESV)
….Woman, why are you weeping?..

Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted…”

“I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”

Psalm 27:13–14 (ESV)

Psalm 25:1 (ESV)

To you, O Lord , I lift up my soul.

T.Y.O.L.I.L.U.M.S.

Psalm 25:1

3) Jesus is Nearer Than You Think

God meets us where our hearts remain open to Him

John 20:14 (ESV)
she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus.

Isaiah 65:24 (ESV)
Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.

4) Don’t Be Surprised When He Meets You

God sees you and is drawing you out

John 20:15
“Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”

Psalm 40:2
“He drew me up from the pit of destruction…”

5) Lean in for His Voice

God reveals Himself personally. He knows and calls you by name!

John 20:16
“Mary.”

Isaiah 43:1
“I have called you by name…”

This is what happens when you encounter a God like this.
This is what happens to those who linger in His presence.

You discover a God who reveals Himself.
A God who draws near to the humble.
A God who meets open hearts.
A God who sees you and draws you out.
And a God who knows you and calls you by name.