Scripture
> Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.
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> — Matthew 28:1 (ESV)
Devotional
Let us learn from Mary Magdalene how to obtain fellowship with the Lord Jesus. Notice how she sought. She sought the Saviour very early in the morning. If thou canst wait for Christ, and be patient in the hope of having fellowship with him at some distant season, thou wilt never have fellowship at all; for the heart that is fitted for communion is a hungering and a thirsting heart. She sought him also with very great boldness. Other disciples fled from the sepulchre, for they trembled and were amazed; but Mary, it is said, “stood” at the sepulchre. If you would have Christ with you, seek him boldly. Let nothing hold you back. Defy the world. Press on where others flee. She sought Christ faithfully—she stood at the sepulchre. Some find it hard to stand by a living Saviour, but she stood by a dead one. Let us seek Christ after this mode, cleaving to the very least thing that has to do with him, remaining faithful though all others should forsake him. Note further, she sought Jesus earnestly—she stood “weeping”. Those tear-droppings were as spells that led the Saviour captive, and made him come forth and show himself to her. If you desire Jesus’ presence, weep after it! If you cannot be happy unless he come and say to you, “Thou art my beloved,” you will soon hear his voice. Lastly, she sought the Saviour only. What cared she for angels, she turned herself back from them; her search was only for her Lord. If Christ be your one and only love, if your heart has cast out all rivals, you will not long lack the comfort of his presence. Mary Magdalene sought thus because she loved much. Let us arouse ourselves to the same intensity of affection; let our heart, like Mary’s, be full of Christ, and our love, like hers, will be satisfied with nothing short of himself. O Lord, reveal thyself to us this evening!
Reflection
Spurgeon draws lessons from Mary Magdalene’s persistent, early, bold, faithful, earnest, and singular seeking of the risen Lord. She went early, stood when others fled, wept, and sought Him alone. Because she loved much, she found Him. Her example teaches us how to pursue fellowship with Christ—early, boldly, faithfully, earnestly, and exclusively.
What we might miss is that her seeking was driven by love, and that love drew the Saviour to reveal Himself.
Goad
Are you seeking the Lord early, boldly, faithfully, earnestly, and exclusively like Mary, or have you become casual or distracted in your pursuit of His presence? What would it look like this evening to seek Him with the intensity of love that will not be satisfied with anything less than Himself?
Tie-In
The morning warns against polluting the altar of worship with our own tools and wisdom, insisting that God’s work must remain unhewn. The evening shows Mary Magdalene finding the risen Lord through pure, devoted seeking without rivals. Both call for a worship and a seeking that is unadulterated—free from human additions in doctrine and free from divided affections in the heart. The same Lord who demands a pure altar receives those who seek Him with an undivided heart.
Closing
Spurgeon’s classic text with AI-assisted reflection and formatting to maintain daily consistency and reach.
If these words have stirred something in your heart today, we invite you to sit with it. Share how God met you in the comments or reach out to us.
As we build out the deeper tables of Milk, Solid Food, and Meat for every stage of the journey, know that you are welcome here.
NewGrapes Ministries
Making disciples, not pew-fillers.
Soli Deo Gloria.