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Good morning, DearHeart.

It’s the morning after.

The colors in the sunrise are brilliant on this Monday after Easter.

A weird, semi-isolated Easter, with only a few near … Dale, Luke, Bryan, and Dani.

It was a thoughtful Easter … do I just want to be near Jesus, too? The way I long to be with all of my family right now?

I love that early that Easter morn we find Mary Magdalene coming early to the Lord’s tomb. The Book of John even tells us it was still dark.

Her grief compelled her to “go”, for grief often has its own reasons, doesn’t it? She expected to find the tomb yet sealed. But, in John 20, what fell on me fresh was this … Mary Magdalene just wanted to be near her Savior.

She had a deep seeded need to be where Jesus was; with Him however that might mean, even if this meant sitting outside a sealed tomb.

Her need to be near Him was the reason she experienced more.

Her need to be near Him caused her to SEE the risen Lord.

She heard Him speak her name bringing hope to what seemed hopeless and life to what appeared to be dead.

Questions mulling around in my heart:

Do I long to be near Jesus?

Does my need drive me to Him?

Does my need cause me to get alone with Him?

To go where He is?

Mary went to the grave much the way we would go to the graveside of a loved one …

to sit,

think,

cry,

and mourn.

She already missed spending time with Jesus. She missed their conversations and being with Him.

Her need was for Jesus alone, no strings attached. She did not want anything from Him. She did not need to ask Him for provision or to do something for her. Her need to be with Him is what caused her to see Him in all of His glory.

“Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, “I have seen the Lord!” Then she gave them his message.” (John 20:18, NLT)

Seeing Him and being with Him was dearest to her heart.

Wake up.

Draw near.

Just to be with Him.

Go.