Early in the morning of the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 She ran to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they’ve put him.” 3 Peter and the other disciple left to go to the tomb. 4 They were running together, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and was the first to arrive at the tomb. 5 Bending down to take a look, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he didn’t go in. 6 Following him, Simon Peter entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. 7 He also saw the face cloth that had been on Jesus’ head. It wasn’t with the other clothes but was folded up in its own place. 8 Then the other disciple, the one who arrived at the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 They didn’t yet understand the scripture that Jesus must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples returned to the place where they were staying. 11 Mary stood outside near the tomb, crying. As she cried, she bent down to look into the tomb. 12 She saw two angels dressed in white, seated where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head and one at the foot. 13 The angels asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” She replied, “They have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they’ve put him.” 14 As soon as she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she didn’t know it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him and I will get him.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabbouni” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Don’t hold on to me, for I haven’t yet gone up to my Father. Go to my brothers and sisters and tell them, ‘I’m going up to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene left and announced to the disciples, “I’ve seen the Lord.” Then she told them what he said to her. (John 20:1-18, CEB)
In the days of Covid it has been easy to see someone and not know who they are because of the masks, but have you ever seen someone you know, and had no clue who they were when you saw them?
It is actually easy to understand here how Mary doesn’t know Jesus. I mean she saw him die on the cross and helped to put his body in the tomb. She knows he is dead and she is distraught with anguish and sorrow. She is so overcome with emotion that she probably really can’t see straight. So it is really understandable that she doesn’t recognize Jesus. But then Jesus says her name…
Oh the sweet sound of your name from someone who dearly loves you. What I wouldn’t give to hear my mother or father say my name again. But to hear my wife or children call out my name makes me happy. Can you imagine really how Mary felt? Distraught with anguish and sorrow and then she hears the voice of Jesus and sees him and knows it is him and she is now overcome with joy and elation! What a day.
Listen, and I bet you can hear Jesus saying your name.
Love People, Love God.
aSacredRebel 