Through His Spirit He calls us by name.
Hear
He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary” (John 20:15, 16).
Mary went to the tomb early in the morning. It was still dark. She was surprised by what she saw. The stone had been rolled away and Jesus’ body was gone.
She thought that someone had taken it. She ran to tell the disciples.
Peter and John ran to the tomb to see. When they arrived, it was just as
Mary had said. The tomb was empty. Peter and John left while Mary
stayed.
She wept outside the tomb. She peered inside and encountered two
angels. They asked her why she was crying. She told them the same thing
she told the disciples, “They have taken my Lord away.”
She turned from the tomb and saw someone in the garden. Mary thought it
was the gardener. He asked her who she was looking for. She thought
this man may have taken the body.
And then a single word from him changed everything. “Mary.” The mention
of her name penetrated the clutter and confusion in her mind. She
recognized him. Jesus was alive! She wanted to cling to him, but he had
other things to do. She returned to the disciples with the good news, “I
have seen the Lord!” How personal the Lord is that he would call Mary
by name. But isn’t that what he does with each of us? We do not have the
privilege of hearing him face-to-face like Mary did. But through his
Spirit he calls us out individually. He speaks our name. When he does,
we know -- He is alive! In that moment, everything changes. Like Mary,
we become witnesses of the most significant event that has ever
occurred, the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Live
There was a point in time when you responded to the good news. The Gospel called you out personally and individually, and like Mary, you recognized Jesus Christ as the way, the truth and the life. And now you can say to others, “He is alive!” This is a privilege above all others. Today, rejoice. Jesus is alive, and he is alive in you.
In Him,
Bob Christopher
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