And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
Mark 16:11
Have you ever had really good news that you couldn’t wait to share with someone, and when you finally did, their response was disappointing? Maybe they were not as excited, or it was just bad timing? Mary had a wonderful encounter with the Resurrected Christ and couldn’t wait to share this good news with the disciples, only to find resistance in their unbelief. The good news is that their response does not invalidate Mary’s experience! He is still resurrected whether the disciples believe it or not. For a while, Mary might have to carry the stigma of being called “that crazy girl,” the one whose radical testimony is whispered about behind her back. Her experience and integrity may be scrutinized by the others, but nevertheless, He is still alive!
This wonderful verse gives us great hope in the face of criticism or unbelief. It gives us hope that even though our family, friends, coworkers, or employees may not believe us, their skepticism does not negate the experience. Notice that Mary did not return the criticism or retaliate. Forgive those who criticize you or do not believe you. Otherwise, you will end up adjusting your focus from the Jesus of your experience to defending the experience itself.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, possibly carried the stigma of a premarital pregnancy. Hosea lived with the stigma of being a fool for staying in his marriage with his prostituting wife, Gomer. Jesus was called a glutton, drunk, lunatic, and heretic. Nevertheless, these people were faithful to God.
Will you allow your life and thoughts to be shaped by Christ and not how others respond or might respond? Are you willing to live with the stigma, criticism, or even pain of being misunderstood if it means you get to experience Christ? Have you had encounters with God that you are unwilling to share, due to a fear of another person’s response? Are there things to which you believe God is calling you that you have not done because of fear of criticism?
In the end we are not responsible for how others react to our witness of Jesus, but we are responsible to Jesus and to others to witness of the truth.