Calling Our Name
John 20:10-16
10 Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.
11 But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb.
12 And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
13 Then they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him."
14 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.
15 Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" She, supposing Him to be the gardener, 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, "Rabboni!" (which is to say, Teacher).
17 Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.' "
On resurrection morning, Peter and John had run to the empty tomb. They saw the linen cloths and an empty grave, and left believing that Jesus had risen from the dead. Mary however lingered. The emptiness baffled her. The loss of the One she loved broke her heart, and confused her mind. Now, while the disciples left, Mary stood and wept. Grief does that to us. Others move on but we stay frozen in time as our heart struggles to accept what our mind can barely comprehend. The one we love has gone. Now their memory haunts us with a fellowship we no longer share.
Grief and confusion overwhelm our soul. We thought we knew what life would look like. We had dreamed of where we were going, but it did not include this. Utterly confused and heart-broken we can struggle to find the One we long for. With a mind full of questions and a heart full of pain, we stand lost and seemingly alone. Yet when we don’t see the Lord, He sees us. When tears blind our way and grief halts our steps, Love reaches to comfort and console. When we can’t find Him, He will find us.
Both the angels and Jesus asked, “why are you weeping?” It is a strange question to ask at a gravesite, but this was no ordinary tomb. The One who was laid there did not stay there. Mary saw what our hearts long to know. On the other side of death is life. Though all who live will die, all who are in Christ, will live. Death has no hold on those who love God. Our Lord has conquered death and emptied the grave. His vacant tomb declares that the grave is not our resting place – heaven is.
Jesus said to her, "Mary!" It was one simple word - the calling of her name. There was no explanation or counselling offered, just the speaking of a name. In calling her by her name, Jesus revealed the understanding of His heart. He knew where Mary was at. He understood the confusion and doubt. He reached for her in the midst of her pain.
Jesus sees the questions that plagues our mind and the sorrow that stills our steps. He knows the hurt and turmoil that overwhelms our heart. He understands when confusion swirls around us and obscures our path. When we are lost in anguish and grief, He calls us by name. Situations may not change, what we grieve may not be restored, but the One who loves us is with us. Whatever we face, we do not face it alone.
The one who welcomed Jesus into the world was the Virgin Mary. She portrays all that is devoted and pure. She welcomed and embraced the Son of God for He came as a spotless lamb. The one who welcomed Jesus back from the dead was another Mary. It was Mary Magdalene. We know little of her background except that Jesus cast seven demons out of her (Luke 8:2). Mary Magdalene is an amazing picture of humanity - hurt, broken and oppressed humanity. Her welcome was the welcome of the redeemed. Her comfort is the assurance that we all stand in.
Regardless of where we have been or the bondage that has controlled our life, the resurrected Lord comes and calls us by name. He invites us to share our heart and enjoy His fellowship. His comment to Mary to not cling to Him, was not a rebuke. He had come because of her love. He was not afraid she would contaminate Him, nor stating that He was too holy to touch. Jesus had atoned for sin, beaten death and conquered the grave. He knew however that Mary would seek to hold Him as a man living within her world. The purposes of God are much bigger than one place and time. Jesus had promised that when He ascended to the Father the Holy Spirit would come (John 16:7). Unlimited by a human body, Jesus would be with all and in all, for all time.
It does not matter where we have been. It does not matter what bondage we have been under. There is one who knows us and calls us by name. He longs to comfort and restore. Regardless of how troubled our mind, or how deep the bondage, He sees our heart and calls us by name. He has ascended to His Father and our Father, to His God and our God (verse 17). We are one with Him and He is one with us. Regardless of where this journey of life takes us, or the difficulty and sorrow that it brings, there is One who stands beside us and calls our name.
Consider:
Has disappointment, failure or loss prevented you from moving forward? Grief takes time to process but the Lord does not want us frozen in time. If you are left standing still while others have moved on, then I encourage you to be like Mary and return to the place you last felt Him. It may be a gathering of believers, a quiet place, a walk by the ocean, or a trusted friend. As you pour out your heart, He will hear.
Do you struggle feeling like others have moved on and you are left standing alone? It is easy to feel that others do not care or are too busy to understand. The Lord however is not limited by time or overwhelmed by need. He comes to comfort and console. He is willing to listen while we pour out our grief and give voice to the turmoil within.
Does depression overwhelm you or chaos plague your mind? Often, we don’t get answers to our questions, but we can receive peace for our soul. The One who spoke to Mary, wants to speak to you. He knows your heartache and confusion, and He calls you by name.
