Known by Name
Jesus said to her, Mary. Turning around, she said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni,” which means Teacher. - John 20:16
Mary Magdalene stood in the garden, overwhelmed by grief and confusion. She had seen the empty tomb. She had spoken with angels. She had even turned and looked directly at Jesus. And still, she did not recognize Him.
It is striking how close she was to the truth and yet how unaware she remained. Her tears clouded her vision. Her heart was still locked in the trauma of Friday. Resurrection was not something she was expecting, even though Jesus had promised it.
Then Jesus spoke one word.
Mary.
That single word changed everything.
When Jesus called her by name, recognition rushed in. The voice she had followed. The voice that had delivered her from darkness. The voice that had spoken truth and grace into her life before. She knew Him instantly.
This moment perfectly reflects what Jesus had said earlier in His ministry. My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me. Mary did not recognize Jesus by sight. She recognized Him by relationship.
This tells us something deeply personal about the risen Christ. Jesus does not merely see crowds. He sees individuals. He knows names. He knows stories. He knows pain. And He calls people personally.
Mary’s past did not disqualify her. Scripture tells us she had once been bound by demons. Yet grace had transformed her, and resurrection affirmed her worth. Jesus chose her to be the first witness of the greatest event in human history.
Jesus knows your name. He knows your past, and He still calls you forward. He knows your pain, and He still offers peace. He knows who you have been, and He knows who you can become in Him.
Faith often awakens when Jesus speaks personally. Not through spectacle. Not through force. But through a voice that calls us by name.
Mary Magdalene stood in the garden, overwhelmed by grief and confusion. She had seen the empty tomb. She had spoken with angels. She had even turned and looked directly at Jesus. And still, she did not recognize Him.
It is striking how close she was to the truth and yet how unaware she remained. Her tears clouded her vision. Her heart was still locked in the trauma of Friday. Resurrection was not something she was expecting, even though Jesus had promised it.
Then Jesus spoke one word.
Mary.
That single word changed everything.
When Jesus called her by name, recognition rushed in. The voice she had followed. The voice that had delivered her from darkness. The voice that had spoken truth and grace into her life before. She knew Him instantly.
This moment perfectly reflects what Jesus had said earlier in His ministry. My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me. Mary did not recognize Jesus by sight. She recognized Him by relationship.
This tells us something deeply personal about the risen Christ. Jesus does not merely see crowds. He sees individuals. He knows names. He knows stories. He knows pain. And He calls people personally.
Mary’s past did not disqualify her. Scripture tells us she had once been bound by demons. Yet grace had transformed her, and resurrection affirmed her worth. Jesus chose her to be the first witness of the greatest event in human history.
Jesus knows your name. He knows your past, and He still calls you forward. He knows your pain, and He still offers peace. He knows who you have been, and He knows who you can become in Him.
Faith often awakens when Jesus speaks personally. Not through spectacle. Not through force. But through a voice that calls us by name.
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