Day 2, Love that Never disappoints

   Disappointment has to be one of the hardest experiences. Disappointment comes when we have invested our hearts and minds into a vision that never manifests the way we hoped. As a life long movie lover it reminds me of Star wars III: Revenge of the Sith. Now I must admit, I am not at all a Star Wars fanatic but I love a good story. Like many movie goers I watched all of the previous Star Wars movies knowing how the story would end. Anakin Walker (The cute kid in Episode I) would become Darth Vader. But while it was not a surprise ending there was something powerful about that final scene. In Episode III Obi-Wan-Kenobi sees Anakin Walker become the infamous mass murder and dark overlord Darth Vader. In that Climatic scene Obi-Wan shouts at Anakin “You were my brother!” 
    We all knew this was coming but it still proved to be a chilling and emotional moment for viewers. Why? Because we have all been there. Perhaps shouting “you were my friend” (mother, father, sister, husband, wife, Pastor etc.) after a relationship took a turn for the worst. Having walked away with a heavy spirit filled with disappointment and broken heart. Have you ever invested in something that took a turn for the worst? Or took a job that seemed great at the interview but disappointing in reality? The dictionary describes dissapointment as a feeling of failure. Many of us know this feeling well. 
    I imagine thats how many of the disciples felt after Christ was crucified. He was supposed to be their King but now He was in a tomb. I’m sure much of their disappointment had to revolve around  the thought,“It’s not supposed to be this way.” Mary Magdalene’s encounter with the risen Christ proves this disappointment. In John we see her at the tomb, 

“They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she 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.” 
John 20:13-16 (ESV)

    Mary confuses Jesus for the Gardner. She had resolved that Jesus had truly died. It was over. I imagine Jesus was probably the only man to ever treat her with dignity. She was disregarded and used by men throughout her life and here was a man, a Rabbi, the Messiah who loved her. But now He was gone. Im sure she said, “it wasn't supposed to be this way”. She was so convinced that she assumed she was speaking to a gardener in the graveyard. All Jesus had to say to her was “Mary”. After inconceivable loss the Savior calls her name. 
    Perhaps you have stood in the graveyard next to a Tomb filled with dissapointment. The savior stands behind you calling your name. You may have felt life was supposed to be different by now. God always keeps His promises even if they never looked the way you imagined.

Devotion Questions: 

• What major disappointments have you encountered in your life? Were there times when you said, “It wasn't supposed to be this way?”
• What other Bible stories talk about disappointment? 
• Where was God in your Dissapointment? Ask Him, He’ll answer. ​