Updated February, 2025
Few would dispute that the most self-revealing painting an artist ever produces is the self-portrait. Self-portraits are statements as well as disclosures. They are dangerous because they uncover what artists really think of themselves. They reveal the soul.
The "I AM" statements in the gospel of John are Jesus Christ's self-portraits, his own way of describing himself. For all that has been written, sung, and debated about the life and work of Christ, nothing allows us such a deep glimpse into the heart of our Savior as the "I AM" statements. These statements not only tell us who Jesus is, but they also say something about his mission, his purpose, and his reason for taking on flesh.
The phrase "I am" in Jesus' statements is not used in the everyday sense, as in "I am hungry" or "I am tired." Instead, Jesus' statements are meant as absolutes. "I am" means "I am, have been, and always will be." They are statements only God can rightfully make. We hear these words spoken by God to a terrified and bumbling Moses and to a wayward people through the prophecy of Isaiah.
In these statements, Jesus claims his divinity. The religious experts, as well as any listening Jew who first heard these words, knew immediately that Jesus was making outlandish claims about himself. Seemingly blasphemous claims. Others heard, believed, and took comfort in them.
Of all the series I have preached, this series on the "I am" statements led to more comments, cards, phone calls, and visits than anything else I have tried to do. I hope it is helpful in your worship planning for Lent and Easter.
Note: The "Liturgy" sections below are not complete orders of worship, but suggestions for the service.
First Sunday of Lent: "I Am the Bread of Life"
Scripture: John 6:35–39
SERVICE SUGGESTIONS
Call to Worship: Matthew 11:28–30
Jesus says,
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened
and I will give you rest."
O Lord, we turn unfilled to you again.
Jesus says,
"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Our souls are restless until we find our rest in you.
Opening Hymn: "O Jesus, Joy of Loving Hearts" Bernard of Clairvaux
Song of Confession: "Just as I Am" Elliott
Words of Assurance: John 6:35
"I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."
Call to the Table: John 6:53–58
Words of Institution: 1 Corinthians 11:23–26
Hymns
"Alleluia" Sinclair
"In the Quiet Consecration" Coote
The Bread: John 6:48–51
During the distribution, sing "What Wondrous Love Is This" Anonymous and "Ah Holy Jesus" Heermann
The Wine: John 7:37
During the distribution, sing "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded" Gerhardt and "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" Watts
Call to Love: 1 John 3:16–24
Closing Hymn: "Beautiful Savior" 17th cent. German hymn
Sermon Ideas
It will be necessary to explain the background and setting of the text. It is near the time of the Passover, and Jesus has recently fed an enormous crowd with a few limited resources. In the morning, the same hungry people seek him out, not to be healed or changed or because they are looking for an encounter with the Son of God. They simply want to be fed, because what they had eaten last night had been used up. While their feet stand before the Lord God of heaven and earth, their minds are on their bellies. They think of Jesus only as a supply line for meeting their needs. Jesus challenges the people to work for food that will not disappear overnight. His hearers are interested enough to ask what they have to do to find this kind of food. After all, it would solve a lot of their daily problems and struggles.
Jesus, however, is not interested in fixing their temporal problem of finding food. He wants to speak to them of spiritual food. Heavenly bread. They are thinking about today, but Jesus is speaking of eternity. Jesus calls them to himself. He will give them peace and wholeness and righteousness. But those listening to him cannot hear. They begin to recall that he is the son of Joseph. He is nothing special. They know his roots.
Jesus will not listen to their grumbling. His hearers are in the process of celebrating the Passover and celebrating the manna that came from heaven. But Jesus points out that the Jews in the desert ate the manna that his hearers so desperately want, and still they died. What he is talking about is bread that will give them eternal life.
All of our current searching for meaning in life and satisfaction through power, wealth, influence, education, and health is like manna in the desert—we may be able to survive a while, but in the end we are going to die and be no more. All the things on which we feed, which are supposed to provide meaning and a good life, will be gone. Only one thing, one person can give true life—Jesus Christ.
Second Sunday of Lent: "I Am the Light of the World
Scripture: John 8:12–20
SONG SUGGESTIONS
"Shine, Jesus Shine" Kendrick
"Christ, the Life of All the Living" Homburg
Because this song was new to our congregation, we printed a brief history of the hymn in the liturgy and asked the choir to sing the first two verses.
"This Little Light of Mine" African-American spiritual
We invited the children to come forward and sing this to the congregation.
"Lift High the Cross" Kitchin
"Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Sky" Wesley
"Christ Is the World's True Light" Briggs
Sermon Ideas
The setting for this story is the Feast of the Tabernacles, which celebrates the love of God shining upon his people. Most of the celebration takes place at night. Four enormous lamps stand in the Court of Women and are lit each night. The light from the lamps, so big that they use the pants of the priests as wicks, can be seen from every point in Jerusalem.
Men carry torches and sing songs, dancing before the crowd. The truly pious vow never to sleep at night during the Feast of the Tabernacles. In the midst of this powerful and emotional display, a poorly dressed Son of a carpenter from Galilee announces that he is the light of the world. All the splendor of the temple of God lit by the four awesome lamps, he says, is nothing compared to his glory.
He is the light not only to the Jews in Jerusalem who have gathered for this feast, but to everyone in the world. He frees the prisoner and gives sight to the blind. He is the true light of God.
How ridiculous his claims must seem to those who hear him speak these words. And Jesus does not stop there. He goes on to say that whoever follows him "will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Those who follow him, like those who followed the pillar of fire in the desert, will not die. They will live and find the promised land.
The Pharisees now have a chance to respond. Their central concern is the number of witnesses it takes to make a testimony valid. If Jesus is saying these things without the backing of another witness, then his testimony is invalid.
Imagine standing before the Maker of heaven and earth, the Son of God, and deciding to enter into a theological discussion about how many witnesses it takes to establish truth. Some people, faced with a choice between going to heaven and going to a debate about heaven, will choose the debate every time. The Pharisees want a legal battle, not a saving moment. They want to discuss, not believe. They want to win the battle, but in doing so, they will lose their souls.
The light of Christ is still needed in our world. We need to invade every arena, every area, every space, every technology, every occupation, and every relationship with the light of Jesus Christ.
Third Sunday of Lent: "I Am the Good Shepherd"
Scripture: John 10:11–21
SERVICE SUGGESTIONS
Call to Worship: Psalm 95
Children' Choir: "The Good Shepherd" Delmonte
Children's Sermon
Our director of children's ministry led the children through the Children and Worship lesson on Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Using an oversized flannel-board and figures, she spoke of the Good Shepherd who seeks out his sheep.
Songs
"Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us" Attributed to Lyte and Thrupp
"Do You Know Your Shepherd's Voice?" (sung by a child following the sermon)
"Humble Praises, Holy Jesus" Anonymous
Sermon Ideas
The setting of this story is conflict. Jesus speaks these words in the midst of a battle between himself, the Pharisees, and a man born blind who has received his sight from Jesus.
In the heat of this conflict, Jesus compares himself to a shepherd and his people to sheep. This is not a flattering comparison for us. Sheep are of limited intelligence, uncreative, and have occasionally wandered into fires. In the book A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, the author describes how sheep sometimes become "cast." They roll over onto their backs, their center of gravity shifts, and they find that they are unable to regain their feet. If left in this condition, they will die. While this is not flattering, it is often an accurate description of us.
Shepherds in Palestine do not drive their sheep. Instead, they lead them. They walk in front of them and call them to follow. Not only does Jesus, our Shepherd, lead us, but he is willing to lay down his life for his sheep. He would rather die than allow one of those who belong to him to be hurt or killed.
Jesus also makes a fascinating statement about the size and occupancy of his sheep pen. He has sheep who are not merely of the Jewish sheep pen, but are far off and must be called to him. What a powerful picture of a global church!
Fourth Sunday of Lent: "I Am the Resurrection and the Life
Scripture: John 11:17–44
SERVICE SUGGESTIONS
Songs
Our praise team led this service and used the following songs: "Celebrate Jesus," "Hosanna," "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High," "He Is Lord," "There Is a Redeemer," and "I Looked Up." All of them can be found in Songs for Praise and Worship (Word, 1992).
Confession
"And Can It Be That I Should Gain" Wesley
Words of Assurance: Romans 6:1–10
Guide to Thankful Living: Romans 6:11–14
Sermon Ideas
After waiting for Lazarus to die, Jesus finally makes his way to see the grief-stricken sisters of his dear friend. The disciples are not excited about the idea of heading to Bethany for fear that they and Jesus will be killed. They narrowly escaped death during their last visit, and they do not want to give their enemies another opportunity. In obedience to Jesus, however, they follow where he leads.
When Jesus arrives, Martha goes to meet him and immediately states that Jesus could have prevented the death of her brother if only he had arrived a few days sooner. In fact, even now God will do whatever Jesus asks. While it is difficult to know exactly what Martha has in mind, it is obvious that her faith is there for whatever Jesus wants to do.
Jesus assures Martha that her brother will rise, and Martha assumes that Jesus is speaking of the end times. Jesus, however, has something much more immediate in mind. He says, "I am the resurrection and the life." I am the foundation of the resurrection. I am the hoped-for blessing of the future. It all rests on me. I have the power to grant life, and apart from me, there is nothing but death. Even now, death cannot keep Lazarus from me.
Following this, Jesus asks Martha if she believes what he's said, and she confesses her faith that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. She makes the confession we need to make before we are granted life and resurrection through the power of Jesus' sacrifice. Following this confession, Martha runs to bring Mary to the tomb; Jesus approaches the tomb; the stone is removed; and Jesus calls Lazarus from death into life. Those standing around are so stunned at what they have just seen that they are unable to move until Jesus orders them to remove the burial clothes. Jesus proves that, while he does not cure on command, he is truly worthy of being called the resurrection and the life.
Fifth Sunday of Lent: "I Am the Way, Truth, and Life"
Scripture: John 14:1–14
SONG SUGGESTIONS
Prelude: "We Come, O Christ, to You" Clarkson
Hymns
"All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name" Perronet
"I Will Sing of My Redeemer" Bliss
"O Jesus, We Adore You" Russell
"To God Be the Glory" Crouch
Sermon Ideas
By the beginning of John 14, everything has been arranged, and those to be involved in the coming trial are preparing. The religious leaders have decided that it is time for Jesus to die. Jesus is in the process of preparing himself for his death. And now he begins to prepare his disciples for what is about to happen. He is speaking and acting like a dying man, although the disciples are choking on the idea.
Jesus tells his disciples that he will be going away to prepare a place for them in God's house. But the disciples don't understand. Thomas, speaking on behalf of the group, asks for some directions to God's dwelling.
Jesus responds by saying, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." To be a part of Jesus' household, it is necessary to follow him. He is the way. He is truth. He is life. And apart from him there is only death and darkness and destruction.
The statement becomes exclusive when Jesus adds, "No one comes to the Father but by me." Those who know the Son know the Father. As a matter of fact, there is no other way to draw near to God, to approach his throne, than through Jesus Christ.
Philip still doesn't get it. He makes what he believes to be a simple request: let us see the Father. Philip has missed the point. Those who know Jesus and those who follow him also know the Father. I once spoke with a woman who was struggling with her faith. Her parents' faith had been nominal at best, and now she felt a spiritual void in her life. She wanted to talk about Jesus because she liked him. He seemed like a nice guy. When I asked if she thought that Jesus was God, she simply smiled and said, "We need to start slow. I don't understand God. But I think I could get along with Jesus OK." She did not understand that by coming near to Jesus, she was coming near to God.
Jesus finishes by telling the disciples that anyone who would dare to follow him must also do what he did. They must be like him. The sequence works like this: if we want to see God, we have to look at Jesus, because his words and actions are those of the Father. And if someone wants to see what Jesus is like, he or she should be able to look at Jesus' followers and see our Lord living in us.
Sixth Sunday of Lent: "I Am the True Vine"
Scripture: Isaiah 5:1–7 and John 15:1–17
SERVICE SUGGESTIONS
Songs
"Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" Wesley
"And Can It Be That I Should Gain" Wesley
"Christian Hearts in Love United" Zinzendorf
"Teach Me, O Lord, Your Way of Truth" Anonymous
"I Am the Holy Vine" Quinn (Because the words and music were unfamiliar to our congregation, we sang this hymn to the tune ARTHUR'S SEAT Goss).
"My Lord, I Did Not Choose You" Conder
Music by the Adult Choir
"Christ We Do All Adore Thee" Dubois
"Thou Art the Way" Roesch
Confession: John 15:3–5
Words of Assurance: "And Can It Be That I Should Gain" (st. 1, 4) Wesley
Guide to Thankful Living: Galatians 5:22–25
Sermon Ideas
Jesus declares "I am the true vine in the same setting as "I am the way and the truth and the life." In these "farewell discourses of John 14–16, he gives his disciples some famous last words before his death.
When he calls himself the one and true vine, Jesus is suggesting that his audience may know of other, false vines. Various Old Testament texts speak of Israel as a vine that is usually lacking in some significant way. Jesus’ use of the image shares many parallels with Isaiah's "Song of the Vineyard" recorded in Isaiah 5:1–7. Because of this harmony and because of the action in both passages, the two can be retold as a two-part parable of the vineyard.
In the first scene, the gardener does everything right. He turns a fertile plot on a gently sloping hillside into a lush green vineyard. When harvest time comes, however, he is dismayed to find that his vines have produced only bad grapes unfit for use. Why such an extreme crop failure? The gardener concludes that it is something in the vines. They cannot produce good fruit. The vineyard must be neglected until it reverts back to wasteland.
Isaiah explains the parable thus far. The vineyard is God's people Israel. The divine gardener judges his people worthy of destruction because "he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress" (Isaiah 5:7). God's nurture must produce people who are right with him and who are fair with others. Otherwise, God will impose severe judgment.
Jesus' words provide the material for the second scene of the parable. The gardener tries another way " good grapes. This time, he uses a single plant to develop his new vineyard. As the vine grows, some branch " do not bear fruit. The gardener cuts them away from the vine and burns them up. Then he prunes the fruitful branches so that they will be even more productive. The gardener is delighted.
As he speaks of the true vine and its branches Jesus teaches numerous practical truths about living with him. He is the true vine. We disciples cannot bear fruit unless we are closely connected to him. As he nourishes us, he expects to see results—fruit like righteousness, justice, and the virtues called "fruit of the Spirit" in Galatians 5:22–23. He commands us to remain in him (John 15:4), to ask whatever we wish (v. 7) and to love each other (v. 12). He promises that we will bear much fruit if we remain in him.
Maundy Thursday, Good Friday: "I Am King"
Scripture: John 18:28–40
SERVICE SUGGESTIONS
We did this service on Good Friday because a neighboring church had already planned a Maundy Thursday service. I believe that it could be used effectively on either evening—either with or without a celebration of the Lord's Supper.
I used Philippians 2:1–11 as a call to worship, followed by the singing of several opening songs: "Lift High the Cross," "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" and "Christ, the Life of All the Living."
A major part of the service was a dramatic reading of the story of John 18:28–19:16 by a narrator, a priest, Jesus, and Pilate (see sidebar). The story works well because it is played out on two stages with the Jews remaining outside Pilate's house (to remain ceremonially clean for Passover) and Jesus in the house of Pilate. Pilate moves back and forth between the two stages.
The first section, titled "Christ Accused," is an exchange between Pilate and the priest who brings charges against Jesus. Following this section, the choir sang "While Jesus Wept" and the congregation sang "Man of Sorrows, What a Name." During the congregational singing, one of four candles was extinguished and the sanctuary lights were dimmed.
The next section, "Christ Questioned," is a conversation between Jesus and Pilate. It contains the words of Jesus, "You are right when you say that I am a King." It ends with the singing of "As Moses Raised the Serpent Up." During the singing, another candle is extinguished, and the lights are further dimmed.
The next section is called "Jesus Rejected." It is an exchange between Pilate and the crowd, who are offered the choice of Jesus or Barabbas. The crowd is the congregation, and Pilate addresses his questions directly to them. When asked what they want done with Jesus, they shout "Crucify him! Crucify him!" During the service, I was amazed at the level of sound from the congregation. They clearly understood what they were being asked to do. Following their cry, we sang "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded" and again the lights dimmed and a candle was extinguished.
The last section, "Christ Condemned," is a dialogue between Pilate, the priest, and finally the crowd, who cry, "We have no king but Caesar. Crucify him!" Following "Ah, Holy Jesus", which contains the line "I crucified Thee," the sanctuary is completely darkened except for the spot on the cross; the final candle is extinguished; and a single violin plays "Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?" The service ends with the bells chiming thirty-three times, and the congregation leaves in darkness and in silence.
A DRAMATIC READING: JOHN 18:28–19:16
CHRIST ACCUSED
[The narrator stays behind the pulpit. Jesus stands to the front, left, the priest to the front, right, Pilate moves back and forth between Jesus and the priest. The lights are dimmed.]
Narrator: Judas has done his job. Jesus has been arrested, and his disciples have scattered. Only a few hours earlier, he was questioned by the high priest. His face shows the bruising and swelling from a beating he received from the temple guard.
Peter has already fulfilled the prophecy of Jesus and denied him three times. It is now early in the morning, and the night is almost gone. It is the time that Pilate will hear cases in his court. Jesus arrives at Pilate's house and is taken inside. The Jews who have taken him there remain outside. It is the time of the Passover, and the Jews must remain ceremonially clean. If they enter the house of a Gentile, they will be unclean for the feast. They have murder in their hearts, but they want to keep their hands clean to celebrate the deliverance of the Lord.
Pilate: Another case of fighting and disagreement among these people that I am supposed to rule. My job is to keep the peace. But sometimes I have to get brutal with them. Sometimes I find myself in the middle of their religious squabbles, and I simply don't have the interest or the knowledge to make an informed decision. Most often, I wish they would simply leave me alone.
Here they come with another prisoner. Another case to consider. Obviously, they have worked this one over already, [tinning toward the priest] What has this man done?
Priest: This man is a criminal. He is a threat. Why would we bring him to you if these things were not true?
Pilate: If you are not going to answer me, then take him into your own courts and judge him.
Priest: We want him dead, but we don't have the power to do it. You know that only you Roman governors have the power of life and death. If we had this power, we would have passed judgment ourselves.
Choral Anthem: "When Jesus Wept"
Song: "Man of Sorrows, What a Name" (st. 1–3) Bliss
[unannounced]
[Dim lights and extinguish candle.]
CHRIST QUESTIONED
Narrator: Now the story is played out on two stages with Pilate acting as the mediator between the two. Leaving the Jews who remained outside the palace to avoid being made unclean, Pilate went inside to speak with Jesus.
Pilate: I have heard rumors that you think you are the king of the Jews. I have dealt with your kind before. I have often had to put down rebellions and kill their leaders. But you don't seem like the leader of a rebellion. Are you the king?
Jesus: Pilate, is that your own idea, or has someone planted it in your head? Have others talked to you about me?
Pilate: Am I a Jew? What makes you think I could care less about this whole matter? My job is to make sure things go smoothly so that Rome gets good reports that you people are peacefully paying your taxes. What do I know about you and your claims to be a Jewish king?
Your own people have handed you over to me. Obviously, I didn't order your arrest. I didn't have you beaten or dragged here. But from the bruises and welts on your face, I can see that you are not very popular with them. What did you do to make them so angry? Why do they want you dead?
Jesus: My kingdom is not of this world. It is not grounded here. It does not originate here. If that were the case, there would be a fight. My followers would be armed and dangerous. You would have a revolutionary war on your hands. My kingdom is from another place.
Pilate: If you have a kingdom, you must be a king. Is that what you are telling me? Are you a king?
Jesus: You are right in saying that I am a king. This is why I was born. This is my reason for coming into this world. I came to testify to the truth and everyone on the side of truth listens to me.
Pilate: What is truth?
Song: "As Moses Raised the Serpent Up" Post
[Dim lights and extinguish candle.]
JESUS REJECTED
Narrator: After questioning Jesus in the palace, Pilate went out to speak again to those gathered outside his house.
Pilate: I can find no basis for any charge against him. Normally at this point I would free Jesus and send all of you back to your homes. But I will make a deal with you. As you know, during the Passover, I grant you the release of a prisoner. You can choose this man who claims to be the king of the Jews, or you can have Barabbas, the political criminal. As you know, Barabbas is a dangerous man. Whom will you choose? [looks at congregation]
Congregation: No, not him. Free Barabbas.
Narrator: Seeing that this strategy to free Jesus would not work, Pilate had Jesus flogged, which was one of the most cruel tortures. There are three different methods of flogging. One is fairly mild, the second is more brutal, and the third is often deadly. Jesus received the third kind. A crown of thorns was fashioned and pushed on his head. A purple rug was thrown around him as a royal robe. The soldiers punched him and spit in his face. Following this humiliation, Pilate brought Jesus out to face the crowd. He was bleeding and staggering as he made his way to meet those calling for his death.
Pilate: Look, I am bringing him out. I have examined him, and I find no basis for any charge against him. Now drop the charges. He has received a beating, and he has been humiliated. Should I let him go free?
[looks at congregation]
Congregation: Crucify him! Crucify him! Crucify him!
Song: "Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed" Watts
[Dim lights and extinguish candle.]
CHRIST CONDEMNED
Narrator: Knowing that he had no basis to put this man to death, Pilate pleaded with the crowd.
Pilate: I find no reason to put him to death. If you want him dead, then you take him out and crucify him. I can see no point in ending his life.
Priest: We have a law, and according to that law, he must die because he claimed to be the Son of God. As you know, Pilate, your job is not simply to uphold the Roman laws. You must also uphold our laws and customs. He claims to be a king, which is against Roman law. And he claims to be the Son of God, which is against our law. He must be put to death.
Narrator: Upon hearing this, Pilate became very afraid. Who was this strange man? Why did these people hate him? Why did he say nothing in his own defense?
Pilate: Jesus, where are you from? What is your background? [long pause] You refuse to talk to me? Look at you! Your head and face are bleeding. Your back is laid wide open from the whip. Don't you know that I hold in my hands the power of life and death? I decide if you die or if you go free. All the authority in this situation belongs to me.
Jesus: You only have power because it was given to you from God. No matter what you plan to do to me, it is all under God's control. You are merely doing what has been planned all along. Those who handed me over to you are the guilty ones.
Narrator: Pilate could not understand this strange answer, but he made up his mind to set Jesus free. But those gathered outside his palace continued to shout: [motions to crowd]
Congregation: Crucify him! Crucify him! If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar. Crucify him!
Narrator: Pilate knew that this was a serious charge. It would not be good for this kind of accusation to find its way back to Rome. Again he brought Jesus out. It was about noon, the time of day when two things happened during the Passover feast. First, everyone stopped working. Second, the slaughter of the Passover lambs began.
The lambs were killed so that the sins of the people might be forgiven, so that the angel of judgment might pass over them. Those gathered around Pilate's house needed to hurry along the execution so they could go home and celebrate the love of God in the Passover feast.
Pilate: Again, I find no fault in this man. He claims to be a king, but he is harmless. What do you say?
Congregation: Take him away! Take him away! Hang him on a cross! Crucify him!
Pilate: Shall I crucify your king?
Congregation: We have no king but Caesar! Crucify him!
Pilate: Then let him be crucified.
Song: "Ah, Holy Jesus" Heermann
[Dim lights and extinguish final candle.]
String solo: "Were You There" African-American spiritual
[Bells chime thirty-three times, once for each year of Jesus' life.]
[Fade to total darkness.]
[The people leave in silence.]
Easter Sunday: "I Am Returning to My Father"
Scripture: John 20:1–18
Service Notes
Call to Worship
What ended in darkness on Good Friday
begins in light on Easter morning with the Easter shout of praise:
"Christ the Lord is risen. He is risen indeed.
Glory and honor and dominion and power
be to our God for ever and ever!
Christ is risen! Alleluia!"
Sermon Notes
The focus of the story is Mary Magdalene. Following a brief introduction into her character, I spoke of her as simply another person in a long line of people throughout history who have been taken in by charismatic leaders—some military, some religious, some political—only to have their hopes and dreams shattered by failure and the death of their leader. Mary, like so many before and since her, has seen her Savior put on trial and killed for what he has done. She seemingly stays with him even in death because she has nowhere else to go. She has invested everything in Jesus.
Upon discovering the empty tomb, she does not dare to look inside but goes to find Peter and John. They come running, find the tomb empty, and leave, a bit baffled by the whole affair. Mary, however, remains and finally gathers the courage to look inside the tomb to see for herself. Through her tears, she sees two men sitting in the tomb. Still unaware of what has happened, she begins to ask them if they know where the body of Jesus has been taken. But the conversation is interrupted by a man standing behind her.
Assuming he must be the groundskeeper, she questions him. His one-word response changes her forever. It is true that the Good Shepherd calls his sheep by name, and when she hears her name called, she falls at the feet of her Lord and Master. No more sorrow. No more broken dreams. No more despair. She is filled with astonishment and delight and joy and fear all at the same time. She has heard her name called by the Son of God.
Jesus tells her, "I am returning to my Father." His task is now complete in this place. He is the bread of life. He is the way, the truth, and the life. He is the resurrection and the life. He is the light of the world. He is the true vine that connects us to the Father. He is the King of heaven and earth. And now he is returning to his Father.