The Bible says of Mary Magdalene, "She turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, 'Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?' 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'" (John 20:14-15).
Why did Mary not recognize Jesus? Maybe it was because her eyes were covered with tears. She was so temporarily blinded by her love and tears for Jesus that she even missed Him. Love can make mistakes, but even when the lovers of Jesus make mistakes, out of love for Him, He understands. He sees the love and the motive behind the error and not just the error. Those who love Jesus are more anxious to manifest their love for Him than to be "correct". There is a cold type of "righteousness" that neither blesses people nor satisfies the heart of God. There are many who will not do anything for the Lord, for fear that they will fail. Lovers do not fear, for "Perfect love casts out fear." The lovers of Jesus are prepared to take great risks for Him. They will not stop short of full manifestation of love even if, in the process, they make mistakes. God understands.
Even though Mary Magdalene made a mistake, her love for the Lord Jesus still shone through it. When she mistook the Lord for the gardener, she asked him about her Lord. He was dead, but He was still her Lord. She wanted to know where they had laid Him, so that she might take Him away and be with Him. She did not just want a living personality. She showed that she wanted Him at all times and in all conditions. That is total love.
Many believers are fair-weather Christians. When everyone seems to approve of the Lord Jesus, they shout and talk of Him, but when people are against Him, they keep quiet. They talk about Jesus where no one will consider them stupid or foolish for doing so; but when talking of Him will bring some loss either to self or property or position, they keep quiet. They have a place for the great miracle-Worker, but not for the "Man of sorrows acquainted with grief." Brother and sister, are you like that? Mary Magdalene was different. She just loved Him all the time. How wonderful!
Another reason why Mary Magdalene did not recognize Jesus is that it takes Jesus to reveal Himself to anyone. Revelation is indispensable for spiritual progress. No one can see Jesus as indeed He is, unless the Lord reveals Himself to that one. It is not something we can do on our own. However, the Lord will not reveal Himself at random to people. He will only reveal Himself to those who diligently seek Him.