The Living Christ: Part 3

John 20:11-18

“11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; 12 and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” 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.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.”

Mary Magdalene was heartbroken.   She thought someone had stolen Jesus’ body from the tomb.  The angels inside the tomb asked her why she was weeping.  Behind Mary, stood Jesus, and I suppose the angels could see Him.  Then Jesus asked her why she was crying.  

Mary turned and, not recognizing Jesus, assumed that He was the gardener.  But, as soon as He called her name, she knew Him and reached out to hold Him.

There is a familiar way that the people you love speak to you or say your name.  Many times it is the way we know they are in the house, or near us in a dark or crowded place.  We know their way of saying our name.

Even though Mary was deep in shock and grief, even though she thought Jesus’ body had been stolen, even though she did not recognize Him in his risen form, when Jesus spoke her name, she knew it was him.

In the world of today, there are many voices calling our names.  But we have the assurance that if we love Him, we will know the voice of Jesus.   

When Jesus speaks our names, wherever we are, whatever our circumstances…

we will know Him.

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.” (John 10:14)

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)