John 20:11-18 NLT
Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in. [12] She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying. [13] "Dear woman, why are you crying?" the angels asked her. "Because they have taken away my Lord," she replied, "and I don't know where they have put him." [14] She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn't recognize him. [15] "Dear woman, why are you crying?" Jesus asked her. "Who are you looking for?" She thought he was the gardener. "Sir," she said, "if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him." [16] "Mary!" Jesus said. She turned to him and cried out, "Rabboni!" (which is Hebrew for "Teacher"). [17] "Don't cling to me," Jesus said, "for I haven't yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" [18] Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, "I have seen the Lord!" Then she gave them his message.
One word changed everything for Mary - when Jesus spoke her name that first Resurrection morning.
It turned her tears from sorrow to joy.
She didn't recognise Him at first but when He called her by name she immediately knew it was Jesus.
The call of Jesus is individual. To each one down the ages He continues to speak our names - personally - one on one.
Earlier in the same chapter we read of Peter and John looking into the empty tomb, seeing the grave clothes, but then they went away.
They didn't hang around long enough to meet the Risen Jesus.
We're they too scared of being arrested for being His followers?
But, stick around the glorious Resurrection narrative and Jesus will find you and call you too by name.
Isaiah 43:1 NLT
But now, O Jacob, listen to the LORD who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.
That will change everything in your life.
I rejoice because Jesus calls my name - Hallelujah, He's alive.
Death has been beaten forever.
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