First Words of the Resurrection
Scripture Reading — John 20:1-18
Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).
John 20:16
While John and Peter experienced the evidence of the empty tomb and the abandoned grave clothes, Mary had the privilege of a different kind of evidence. She had the amazing opportunity to be one of the first persons to actually meet the risen Lord and hear him speak (see Matthew 28:8-10).
Mary had been in tears, thinking that someone had stolen Jesus’ body from the tomb. As Jesus approached her, he asked her gently why she was crying. But she thought he was the gardener and assumed he might know where Jesus’ body was.
Then Jesus spoke her name: “Mary.” And she knew.
All her distress immediately vanished. Instead of the dead body she had hoped to recover, she found herself face to face with the living Lord. It was all the evidence she would ever need. For the second time that morning, Mary found herself running to the place where the disciples were staying, and she announced, “I have the seen the Lord!”
Remarkably, God knows your name as well. “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands,” God says in Isaiah 49:16. If you listen, you will hear him calling your name deep within. It’s the only evidence you will ever need to know that he is alive.
Loving God, open my heart to you so that I may hear you whisper my name. May I be filled with joy as I celebrate the remarkable gift that Jesus is alive! Amen.
About the author — Shawn Brix
Rev. Shawn Brix has served as pastor in several Ontario churches. He and his wife, Jenny, have three children.
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