Death Grip

“But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one 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.” – Jn. 20:11-13 (ESV). When events happen in our lives that challenge the root of our trust in the one call Lord, how do we react? Do we think that possibly this commitment is not what we thought it was? If and when this happens, Mary provides a good example for us of one who illustrates determination to hang on to Jesus as her Lord in the middle of her confusion, sorrow, pain, and loss. Mary thinks Jesus is dead, yet His principles and teachings are still her Lord, or motivators. Frequently, Christians interpret the closeness of Jesus based on our outward circumstances. If we think our surroundings and activities are going badly, we question why He is ignoring us and our prayers, and why the Holy Spirit is not providing the comfort and solace we need. Let's follow Mary’s example and hang on tenaciously (the letter to the Hebrews would says to “hold fast” to our faith; some call this a “death grip,” one that is frozen in place - Heb. 10:23) to the conviction that Jesus is Lord even when (and maybe especially when) we don't understand what is happening or the reason for events unfolding around us.