John 20: 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means, Teacher) NASB
In March of 2020, I moved from St. Louis to Louisville, KY. This was a pretty big deal, but even more so at the beginning of a pandemic.
I had left my support system which had been established for 11 1/2 years to start my life over – completely. Daunting on it’s own. Monumental and fraught with difficulty in a pandemic.
Being the new kid, I was constantly introducing myself because no one knew my name.
It didn’t take too long before I had some connection with neighbors met during walks in the neighborhood . I was introduced to a few, very few, folks from church, but not for a couple months. In each case, I said the same phrase – my name is…………
But there’s one person that didn’t need introduction. Jesus. He knew me before the move, through the move, and after the move. He knows my name.
I can prove that. In John 10: 27 it says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them,” Indeed, I have been listening to His voice for a long time. Best yet – He knows me. He knows the real me. He knows my name.
And in Isaiah 43: 1 it says, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!” Wow – redeemed & called by name. I’m known – I’m His.
In the key verse, Jesus is speaking to Mary. She doesn’t realize who He is till He says her name. Can you even imagine what her heart experienced at that moment? Jesus, the one she saw die, was now calling her name. Breathtaking. And – she was the first one He spoke to once resurrected. The very first one – Mary – hearing her name.
There’s something special about the connection of saying a name. Just by the sound, it communicates so much.
Tomorrow is Resurrection Day. It’s an enormous celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. It’s the reason we have hope. And to think. . . this resurrected Jesus knows our name. He knows my name!!
That right there is cause for extraordinary celebration. The Cross – The Resurrection – Jesus. And He is saying your name – He is saying my name.
Hallelujah ! What a Savior
Peace & Blessings