Your Name on His Lips

Mary Magdalene stands outside the tomb of her beloved Jesus, drowning in grief. Not only has she witnessed His brutal execution, but now there’s the possibility of a cruel joke. His body is missing.

She bends to peer into the tomb where He was laid, but it’s no longer empty. Seated where the body once was are two angels. “Woman, why are you crying?” Mary tells them someone has taken her Lord’s body, and she doesn’t know where it is. (John 20:13)

She turns around, and there is Jesus, Whom she mistakes for the gardener. He repeats the angels’ question to her, and she answers Him as she did the angels.

Then this…

“Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned toward Him and cried out in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means ‘Teacher’).” (John 20:16)

This is Jesus – the all-powerful One Who drove out seven demons from a tortured Mary Magdalene; the merciful God Who rescued her from enslavement to darkness and brought her into His healing light; the tender Good Shepherd Whose voice led her as she humbly followed Him in the final years, days, and moments until He died.

Now standing outside His empty tomb, the Good Shepherd speaks her name, and her heart recognizes exactly Who has spoken it.

This is her Jesus, and He is alive!

As you stare into the mirror, where do you see Mary Magdalene in your reflection?

What tortures your soul, holds you in shackles, grips you with its icy talons? What are the disappointments, disillusionments, and disgraces that keep you awake at night? Where have you looked as a last resort, a last chance, a last-minute save for hope and help – and come up empty?

Mary thought Jesus was the gardener – until He spoke her name. God has sent people into your world to speak your name on His behalf. Are you listening?

Is it through your co-worker who’s constantly inviting you to church? Maybe your friendly neighbor who spends a few extra minutes visiting with you in the driveway? What about the grandmother who prays for you every single day? Is it the guy at the gym who always remembers your name? The mom in the carpool line who offers to spring for a cup of coffee at the nearby coffee shop?

Friend, Jesus is calling to you. He knows life’s struggles are real. He wants you to know this - the voice of the Good Shepherd when He speaks your name is also very real.

Whether it comes through your co-worker, your neighbor, your grandmother, the guy at the gym or the mom in the carpool line – you’ll know it’s Him, and everything will change!

It will be a change so profound, you won’t be able to keep it to yourself.

To Mary – and to us – Jesus says, “Go…and tell…”

And we, like Mary, having heard our names on His lips, will joyfully spread the good news: “I have seen the Lord!” (John 20:18a)