Why Are You Weeping?

"But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying. And they said to her, 'Woman, why are you weeping?' She said to them, 'Because 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, and did not know that it was Jesus. 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.' Jesus said to her, 'Mary!' She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, 'Rabboni!' (which means, Teacher)." John 20:11-16 NASB

For Context:

Jesus has just been crucified, died, and buried. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus laid His body in a garden tomb before the Sabbath began (John 19:38–42). Early on the first day of the week (Sunday), Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb and sees that the stone has been rolled away. Alarmed, she runs to tell Peter and John (John 20:1–2).

Peter and John race to the tomb. They find it empty—only the linen cloths remain. Not fully understanding what had happened, they return home (John 20:3–10).

But Mary stays behind, weeping outside the tomb. That’s where John 20:11–16 picks up: in the stillness and sorrow, Mary looks into the tomb, speaks with angels, and then turns around—only to encounter the risen Jesus, though she doesn’t recognize Him at first.

Even in the midst of the miraculous, Mary was caught up in her emotion rather than reality, leaving her to weep and despair. The angels appeared to her asking her why she was weeping, standing in the very grave as proof that Jesus was not there. Yet, Mary was so focused on her distress she did not think it possible to see the miraculous. And when she turned around, didn’t recognize Jesus standing there. Even as He had proclaimed His actions previously (that He would rise from the grave) and was standing before her as living proof, she was unable to see past her distress. Mary still calls Jesus “Lord” but limits His resurrection capability until she finally recognizes Him before her in resurrection glory. Yet Jesus is gentle and patient, he “teaches” us who He is and proves His faithfulness regardless of our limitations for His miraculous. Mary knew Jesus so personally, she knew His voice, knew His words, and yet it took His personal address to her for her to recognize Him.

Everyone’s question—"Why are you weeping?"—isn’t an indictment. It’s an invitation.

It’s as if the angels and Jesus are saying,

“You are without cause to weep. Open your eyes—look again. The Lord is at hand. The miracle is right in front of you.”

And what’s beautifully personal about this? Jesus doesn’t scold Mary for her emotion or her moment of doubt. He does just what she needs to gain His attention, He calls her by name—drawing her eyes off herself and onto Him.

So today, let me ask you:

What grief or disappointment has clouded your vision? What have you been weeping over—believing the Lord is absent when in fact, He is standing near?

Jesus still calls us by name. He still meets us in our confusion. He still opens our eyes to see resurrection where we thought there was only loss.

Look again. The tomb is empty. The Lord is near.

Prayer:

Jesus, forgive me for the ways I’ve let sorrow blind me to Your presence. For the times I’ve stood outside the miracle, focused more on what I thought I’d lost than what You were doing in front of me. I repent for limiting You in my grief. Thank You for Your gentleness, for calling me by name, and for proving Yourself faithful even when I’ve doubted.

Teach me to seek You in my sorrow and to recognize Your voice in the stillness. Thank You for the empty tomb. Thank You for resurrection life. Open my eyes to see You clearly today—and teach me to live in the hope that You are near.

Amen.