Do you remember on the third day after Jesus was crucified, that the women find that the tomb is empty?

We were told in the gospel of John that "Up to this point they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead." Mary Magdalene remains behind. She is bewildered. She is weeping. But then she sees two angels who say to her "Why are you weeping?" She says to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." She thinks he is still dead.

Then, next, she sees someone who she thinks is the gardener. But who was it, really? I'm sure you know. It was Jesus, now, alive again. But she does not recognize him. She says, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away."

What happens next is so beautiful in its simplicity. Jesus does not say "Ta Da!!! Here I am in my victory. I have reversed the curse. Sin and death are vanquished!" These things, of course, are wonderful and true. And the New Testament will unpack it all for us so marvelously. But, what does he say here in this amazing moment?

We read, "Jesus said to her, 'Mary.'" He called her by name. And my mind goes immediately back to the prophecy of Isaiah 43, "But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine." As Jesus addresses her, it is such a personal moment, isn't it? Can you imagine her heart and mind as she hears her name uttered by the Lord, risen from the dead?

He calls you by name, too. He greets you. He welcomes you. Do you know that? Do you feel that in your heart?

She replies, humbly, in Aramaic "Rabboni!" She recognizes him now. We are told in the Gospels how she responds. She worships him.

Do you?

Musing’s from Pastor John, July 11, Click to Email Pastor John