Loss.

Think of a loss you have experienced. Any loss—the death of a loved one; your physical or mental health; a friendship; a job; your way on the covenant path; your self-worth—the list can go on and on. There is an emptiness that comes with loss. It’s hard to describe, but most of us can relate to the feeling because loss is universal.

As I pondered the events surrounding the last days of the life of Christ, I was struck by the loss that the disciples of Christ must have felt when he was crucified—they lost their teacher and friend; they seem to have lost their hope; they probably lost their certainty for what they had thought this Messiah would do to deliver them from their captors.

Imagine that emptiness.

On the Sunday morning following the crucifixion and before the sun rose, Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb where Jesus was buried. This is probably similar to what many of us have done as we have gone to ponder the life of a loved one who has passed on. If Mary is anything like me, she probably is in need of some quiet time alone to wrestle with the void she is feeling inside.

As she approaches the tomb, she sees the stone rolled away and the tomb is empty inside. She runs to the apostles and tells them that Jesus’s body is missing. Peter and John go to the tomb and witness the emptiness of the sepulcher as well.

Peter and John leave Mary. It doesn’t say what, if anything, they say to her. Their understanding is still not fully developed, and they have to grapple with what this all means, but perhaps there is a sliver of hope starting to grow inside their souls.

So, Mary is alone again. She cries and looks into the empty grave. She sees two angels who ask her why she is crying. She responds.

As she goes to leave the tomb, she sees a man who she thinks is the gardener. He asks why she is crying. She answers and then–

“Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master” (John 20:16).

Picture this one powerful moment—

Mary recognized the voice of her Savior as He called her name. She turns toward Him. She sees Him.

And all of a sudden complete relief. No more emptiness.

Loss will come to us all. But there is One who takes the emptiness that comes from loss and refills our souls.

Because the tomb was empty, we do not need to be.

Think of a loss you have experienced. Any loss. Imagine you hear Him call your name.

Turn yourself toward Him.

Accept relief.

Fill your emptiness.

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This moment is briefly, but beautifully, depicted in this video.

Lead Photo entitled Life of Jesus Christ: Appearance to Mary Magdalene, Courtesy The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints