Tuesday, April 22—Day 49

But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.  Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means, Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene came, announcing to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and that He had said these things to her.
John 20: 11-18

ON QUESTIONS AND EXCLAMATIONS
There is a profound difference between using a period, an exclamation point, and a question mark, each adding its own emphasis and meaning to words. The function of punctuation is to bring out the correct meaning of a sentence or passage and aid understanding on the part of the reader.

According to one grammar tutorial, the exclamation point concludes a statement that is uttered in an emotionally heightened way, to express surprise or pleasure. It is used for an emphatic declaration, interjection, or command. Typographically, it was derived from the Latin word for joy, “io” and later evolved into its vertically stacked graphic mark today.

The early form of the question mark is attributed to Alcuin of York who created the punctus interrogatives around the 8^th century to denote an inflection at the end of a clause. It was initially drawn as a lightning flash, first striking from right to left and then later turning upwards. Although the original Biblical texts did not include punctuation (which was added several centuries after the time of Christ), we found the English use of punctuation in John 20:11-18 very profound and descriptive.

As Mary was outside the tomb grieving, most likely engrossed with the questions deep in her heart, she encountered the Lord. One might expect that He would come to her with an exclamation of His deity “I have conquered death!” “I have risen!” “I have fulfilled the law as was prophesied!” Instead, reaching out to her in her time of grief and confusion, Jesus asked Mary two tender and simple questions, “Woman, why do you weep?” and “Who are you looking for?” If you think about a question mark as a lightning flash perhaps these questions were gently probing her to think about her circumstances in a different light.

Following her response, Jesus gently, personally and recognizably speaks her name. Some translations (NRSV, NLT, NASB) add the exclamation afterwards, as in “Mary!” Regardless of whether the mark is actually added, there is something so striking in the speaking of her name that pierces our hearts with joy and wonder. Our God knew her and called her by name.

In that moment, Christ continued His mission as Immanuel, God with us. He saw Mary, pursued her, and perceived her heart questions, as He made Himself known. This revelation is gloriously portrayed in Ryder’s Christ Appearing to Mary.

Mary’s response to the risen Christ could only be one of exclamation: “Teacher!” and then the joy of sharing the news of His resurrection with the disciples: “I have seen the Lord!”

How our Lord pursues us as individuals mesmerizes us. In our daily lives, we live in the tension and the rhythm of questions and exclamations as an ongoing dialogue in our journey of faith.

This Easter, may you be astounded by our risen Savior who sees you, pursues you and hears the longings and questions that resonate within your soul. May you respond as Mary did, by acknowledging Him and going out to proclaim who He is.

Our prayer for you is that the words of Matt Maher would encourage your heart:

Oh death! Where is your sting?
Oh hell! Where is your victory?
Oh Church! Come stand in the light!
The glory of God has defeated the night!
Oh death! Where is your sting?
Oh hell! Where is your victory?
Oh Church! Come stand in the light!
Our God is not dead, He’s alive! He’s alive

Rachelle W. Chuang, Art Department
Suzanne Welty, Communications Sciences and Disorders Department

Prayer
O Christ, my Lord, again and again I have said with Mary Magdalene, ‘They have taken away my Lord and I know not where they have laid him.’
I have been desolate and alone.
And you have found me again.
Amen