“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 (NIV)
Jesus only said one word, “Mary” and a sacred moment occurred on that morning of His resurrection, when He appeared to her outside the tomb. She was overwhelmed in grief over His death that morning, which led to her mistaking Jesus for a gardener. She didn’t recognize Him until He called her name, and then she knew without a doubt, that it was Jesus. He is the Good Shepherd who calls all His sheep by name, and Mary was one of His sheep.
If someone very close to us called us on our phone, as soon as they spoke our name, even without a name ID showing on the phone, we would know who it is, by their voice and how they say our name. Whether it was a spouse, a parent or a sibling, we would recognize them by their voice. If it was our son or daughter, we would know who it is the moment they said, “Mom” or “Dad.”
When Jesus called Mary’s name at the empty tomb, it confirmed their close relationship, which every disciple had with Him over the three years of His ministry. Another pivotal moment of speaking a name, was when Jesus said to Peter, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hell will not prevail.”That life altering moment began with Jesus calling him, “Simon, son of Jonah” and then changing his name to Peter. (Matthew 16:17-18)
Names hold deep significance and reveal our roots. When Jesus called someone’s name, it confirmed that He knew them from day one, more than any other human being ever did, and it’s why He invites all of us to a more intimate relationship with Him. Mary was known as Mary of Magdala, a seaside city in Galilee, where she grew up. When Jesus called Mary’s name, it signified His love for her, while knowing every aspect of her life and who she was as a person from day one. That’s how much He loves each person in this world and why He continues to call everyone by name.
If we could just pause during our time in prayer, listen with our spirit instead of our ears, and imagine Jesus calling our name, in the midst of any present pain, discouragement or confusion we feel, we might find a similar sacred moment as Mary and Peter did.
He knows us more than we know ourselves, and He calls our name not to reprimand us but to serenade us with His love, offering His ever cleansing mercy and grace.
There is a deep sense of well being that comes from knowing we have a clean conscience. Scripture assures us that the blood of Christ not only forgives sin but cleanses our conscience as well. (Hebrews 9:14)
When our conscience is cleaned, no one and nothing can take away our peace.
When Jesus called Mary Magdalene and Simon Peter by name, it was a life changing moment. Jesus is not a mere acquaintance, like a hired gardener, that Mary Magdalene momentarily mistook Him for. He doesn’t just groom us like a gardener grooms his garden to improve its appearance. He calls us each by name, inviting us to keep going deeper, because He knows us best, and wants to forgive, cleanse, renew and transform us from the inside out.
Lord, help us to recognize that you are calling our name in love, because you have known us from day one and desire a closer relationship with us as we walk with you through this life. Amen
