The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 478

,md expcrimcnte.lly know no sorrow; but they are sympathetic 1md tHendly; pcrhnpe they hnd nttendl'd so much upon the Lord, that they would natnrlllly le11.m sympathy. (5) Their i11spfri,1g confidmre. It is not to every one she would disclose the cause of her grief. She would instinctively be suspicious; but the 11.ppearance nnd language of these inspired her at once with confidence, that they were houour11.ble nnd friendly~ and probably closely related to her Master; hence she trusted them at once with the secret of her sorrow. (6) This vision of angels was v,:ry ,iatll,t'al. The n11turalness of the incident is to us much more important thnn the literal harmony of the narrative. The appearance of angels is n11.tural at the Resurrection, and a befitting introduction to what followed ; and as the Master had left the house, it was natural that he should leave the servants there to nnswer cert.a.in calls which would be made, and entertain visitors. 2. The viswn of Jesus. (Ver, 13.) (1) Her conve1·sation with the angel, fin.uhed abmptly. Her conduct might appear almost rude, except in the light of what followed. She tnrned back, beckoned, perhaps, by the angel to do so, or she instinc- tively felt some presence behind her. The servants will ever point to the Mester when present, and will observe becoming silence, (2) She knew not Jesus, and why P She did not expect to meet him alive. She suspected that the body had been stolen, but little suspected that Life was the thief. She was too much en rapt in anxiety about her dead Lord to recognize him living. Intensity of feeling is often unfavourable to immedillte recognition, and Jesus did not assume the old appearance. (3) She made a 9ood g=, but still a mistake. She thought that he was the gardener, from bis garb and the time of his appearance. This was a natural thought, and trne in a sense of Jesus. He was a gardener, and the best that ever was in this world. She was glad to meet Joseph's gardener. "Sir, if thou bast bomehim," etc. She at once told her story, sought information, and her love made her feel strong enough to take the body away herself. (4) The Master addressed her in much the same way as the servant-only added, "Whom seekest thou?" The angel's question was only an echo of his. It is worthy of notice that this is the first question of Jesus after the Resurrection. "Why weepest thou? " etc. He asks the question still: he rose to wipe away tears, and liq remove the cause of human sorrow. (6) These 11isions were granted to love. Where were the augels and the risen Lord when Peter and John were at the grave? They were there, but love alone could see them. Angele and Jesus appear to intense and devoted love; if we had more of it we should have more spiritual visions. IlL TllE RECOGh'ITION OF LOVE. 1. Her recognition was in consequence of a direcl revel,ation. (1) By the voice. The other disciples recognized him by sight. Thomas said once that he would not recognize him except by touch, but Mary by his voice. (2) His voice, uttering a Bingle word-her name, "Mary." She had not heard her name pronounced in the same way since he had lest called it. She recognized the old voice which spoke to her first and often afterwards. (3) Jesus knew how to reveal himself best. He knew how to touch a chord in her heart which would bring her back to herself and to him. 2. Her rewgnition waa warm and reverential. " Rabboni I" "0 my Master l" and she fell at his feet, and was about to embrace them. If her recogni- tion wlll! not so high and advanced as that of Thomas, it was warm and enthusiastic. 3. Her -recognition in om of its modes was gently checked. "Touch me not [or, 'do not ding to me']." (1) This was incompatible with the laws of the new life and relatUYtUJhip. He was not to be known henceforth after the flesh, nor to be reverenced after the old fashion of physical exiswnce. (2) This would bo an impediment to hi,a upu:ard progre81J. "For I have not," etc. He had not ~nis~ed his porious c~urse nor reached his high goal. He was on the way, and such chngrng to him would mterfere with hie ascension. Besides it being incompatible with the new life, there was no time. He was ascending, and her service was required in another way. (3) The new mode of homa!?tl to him was revwled to Magdalene first, She was the only one who attempted the cld ; this was checked, an.d the new method was hinted. She had in heart devotional feelings advaotageous to revelation. Devotion to him henceforth was to t&k.e a higher aim and 11ssume a higher form. After hie ascension to the Father, the new life would be complete, then in heart and spirit she could cling to him for ever. IV. THE IUSBION OF LOVE. "Ilut- go," ere. 1. This mission contains as ita su.Lsta'fi.ce l,,i,s ai;cen.Bion. " I ascen<l." It is not "I have risen," but "I ascend." It iDclucies bis rC11u.rrection, an<l more. He could not ascend unless he had risen. The first  CJH. XX. 1-31.] nm GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN. 493