Easter is a story of hope, but it’s worth considering that on the first Easter the emotion wasn’t yet hope - but weariness. In John’s gospel, when Mary arrives to Jesus’ empty tomb she weeps in her weariness. When she first sees him, she mistakes him as a gardener and he asks her, “Who are you looking for?”

Of course, Mary is looking for Jesus, but she’s also looking for all that Jesus was about. She weeps because she longs for the power of his teaching, the humility of his love, his compassion for the downtrodden, his dignity for those on the margin, and his rescue for those who had been written off. All this seemed possible until his cross and empty tomb.

But we are told that Mary lingers at his grave in her weariness. I have to believe there was one last shred of hope she couldn’t give up or let go. Many of us know this lingering. You’re weary, but not ready to let go. You’re holding on to hope that not all is lost.

When Jesus dies it appears the story is over, but we come to find in this grave-turned-garden it has only just begun. To Mary’s credit, she lingers at the grave long enough until it becomes the garden of new creation. It turns out this Gardner is indeed the risen Savior.

Easter is not just a story that happened but is happening. God meets us today in our same weariness. Are you longing for God’s justice, peace, and healing? For God’s grace, humility, and love? Then let us linger in the garden of Easter and rediscover the hope of this good news - He is risen, he is risen indeed! In Christ, God is making all things new. Thanks be to God!