Before The Resurrection by Dr. Pete Norris

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him. (John 20:1, 2 NKJV)

And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. (Mark 16:3, 9 NKJV)

Magdalene was not her last name. 

Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, (Luke 8:1, 2 NKJV)

Mary's God given desire didn't drive her toward God. Desire drives you toward the fulfillment of that desire! 

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6 NKJV)

Saying,  ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ (Luke 24:7 NKJV)

Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. (Luke 7:36 NKJV)

And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. (Luke 7:37, 38 NKJV)

She had turned a lot of tricks for this alabaster box and ointment. She let down her hair, which was forbidden in public. Normally the head was anointed not the feet. She had no idea what the religious customs were at all, she was broken. She was very wealthy. Alabaster means "the name of a stone." She was preparing Him for burial. Because we know the smell of death stinks.

Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” (Luke 7:47 NKJV)

Mary was there all the time.

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46 NKJV)

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. (Matthew 27:50 NKJV)

When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed. And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb. (Matthew 27:59-61 NKJV)

Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. (Mark 16:1 NKJV)

Sabbath was over, and Mary couldn't give Him a proper burial.

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. (John 20:1 NKJV)

Mary’s desire had been for the Lord, and it all ended at the cross. Love never fails. Mary was willing to give everything to go back to the tomb, because love was burning in her heart for Jesus. Mary had been awake all night with Jesus on her mind and having a proper burial.

And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” (Mark 16:3 NKJV)

She is hoping somebody will be at the tomb to do what she doesn't have the strength to do, to roll the stone away. 

“A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father.” (John 16:16 NKJV)

Who will roll the stone away?  Could it be that her question was not her question at all, but God asking the question? 

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. (John 20:1 NKJV)

Be careful what the questions are when you are in the dark. Maybe you are looking for an answer from God, maybe He is looking for an answer from you. 

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (Psalms 23:4 NKJV)

Signs don't lead they follow!