From the Tomb to the Mountain - includes Podcast!

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​​I had made it to church, at least. And the place was buzzing with excitement. Ministry time began, and those who needed prayer went forward. But I could not will my feet to move. I felt dead inside, indifferent. I had so effectively stifled my disappointment that I actually believed, standing there, that I did not need the restored hope that God was offering that day at the altar. I was okay. God could reach me right here, if He needed to. It was almost time to leave, anyway.

Then God surprised me.

​As if knowing that I could not get past myself to run to Him, He came to me. First one, then several others came and prayed for me. The anointing was so strong that it broke through the locked doors of my heart and released a flood of tears I didn’t even know existed. Years of disappointment dissolved in a puddle on the floor in front of me as God’s goodness melted through my hardness of heart and washed me clean.

I left church that day in awe of the “wonderfulness” of God and how much He loved me. I appreciated that sometimes, God needs to come to us because we just can’t seem to get to Him. That day, God’s love restored my hope – not just in Him, but also in my circumstances. Although at first I could see no signs of God’s Presence, He surprised me with a visitation in the end. ​

Mary's Story

Mary Magdalene experienced a similar situation. In fact, it happened twice. First, her brother Lazarus died, and there was no sign of Jesus. (John 11). Three days after her brother’s death, at a time when all hope would have been lost, Mary saw Jesus raise Lazarus from the grave. She learned that heaven knows when you need a miracle – and heaven responds.

Perhaps this is why she is one of the two Marys who later goes to Jesus’s tomb. In Matthew 28, even though Jesus is crucified and buried, we find her coming to “see the tomb.” Maybe, like me, she was filled with disappointment and feeling dead inside. Maybe she wasn’t expecting much in the way of ministry – after all, what could a dead Messiah do for her? But she came. She positioned herself at the tomb, and she waited.

When you come and wait for your miracle, heaven knows and sees you there. And heaven responds!

Suddenly, Mary is surprised by an earthquake and an angelic visitation. The guards around her become like dead men, but Mary comes alive.
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Amazingly, she is told that heaven already knows why she is there. The angel knows she’s seeking a crucified Jesus. And this brokenhearted woman – whose gender made her a lower-class citizen at the time – becomes the first carrier of the most powerful message ever preached to mankind: the message of the Gospel. She has come in her brokenness, but she is recommissioned to go forth with the most important message of Christianity: “Jesus is Risen!”

But this is not the only surprise she receives. She and her friend Mary run quickly to tell the disciples of the resurrection. And the Bible says “as they went,” Jesus met them.  

In other words, we do not serve a Savior who is playing a frustrating game of hide-and-seek with us, although sometimes it might feel that way. Our Savior and brother is as excited to see us as we are to see Him. Just as Mary’s brother Lazarus came back to her after his death, so Jesus comes back to Mary after His.

Jesus has a pre-arranged meeting with His disciples in Galilee after the resurrection. But He doesn’t go directly to His next appointment and hope that someone will eventually show up there. No – He comes to us the moment we start coming to Him! Mary encountered Him and worshiped Him “as she went.”

This early encounter with Christ does not change her commission. She still must go and tell the disciples to hurry to the meeting in Galilee. But Christ demonstrates His love for her by encouraging her along the way to complete her mission.

This, for me, is the great beauty of my relationship with Jesus. I have a call. I have a purpose and a commission, which He has kindly chosen to share with me, a woman whose hopes were previously dead.

He meets me along the way – surprises me sometimes – and encourages me when I do not have the strength, whether emotional or physical, to go forward. For this, I love Him. And this week, I pray that God will surprise you with His love for you, too. When you see no sign of God in your life, get ready! Because that’s the time of your visitation. Heaven knows! And heaven will respond.

c. Deborah Perkins/His Inscriptions 

Deborah Perkins is the founder of His Inscriptions, a ministry focused on life-giving communication with God. Through her website, inspired teaching and a weekly blog, Deborah offers discipleship to those who want to grow their relationship with God. A ministry leader for over 25 years, Deborah is an experienced prophetic counselor, marriage mentor, and prayer warrior. She's also fond of her hubby, 3 sons, and dark chocolate - in that order! ​​