He Knows My Name
by Sharon W. Betters
Today’s Treasure
Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.
Luke 23:1-10
Deep depression most likely dragged Mary, and the disciples into a dark pit. The One she loved was dead. But there was one more thing she could do to serve her master. We know the women followed His body to the Garden of Gethsemane and watched as Joseph of Arimathea tenderly and carefully placed His body in the tomb (Luke 23:55-56). Instead of curling up in the fetal position, giving in to fear, Mary led several women to the tomb, with spices to prepare Jesus’ body for burial. They went at early dawn, while it was still dark. They knew the tomb was sealed with a large stone. Who did they think would roll the stone away and give them access? This is such a picture of faith, taking one step at a time, not knowing where those steps would lead. They need not have worried about the stone, because it was rolled away. They did not find the dead body of their Savior. Instead, two men (angels) in “dazzling apparel” stood by them. The women bowed to the ground, frightened once more. But the men were not there to hurt them, but to give them great news:
“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.
Luke 24:5-7
The angels reminded them of Jesus’ own words:
Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”
Luke 24:6-7
I love this! Because I was a pastor’s wife and Bible study teacher, my friends could have concluded it was useless to remind me of God’s Word while I was in the throes of grief. Yet, His word was the only unchangeable factor in my life. More than once friends moved me from a dark midnight to see a light in that darkness by reminding me of Jesus’ words, just as the angels reminded the women of Jesus’ words.
The women did as the angels said. They told the disciples about Jesus’ missing body and the message of the angels. The disciples responded as many of us might have. They discounted their testimony, concluding the women were just emotionally undone and this was all wishful thinking:
And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.
Luke 24:8-11
How often do we too refuse to believe the testimony of others about the life-giving power of Jesus, concluding our circumstances are beyond His help?
I think we are a lot like the disciples and Mary. Mary’s emotions rolled like a roller coaster. Though the angels appeared to her, spoke to her, and told her Jesus had risen from the dead, she returns to the tomb, unconvinced that Jesus is actually alive:
But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.
Luke 23:11-18
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
Mary weeps, perhaps the kind of subdued, resigned hopeless crying of a broken woman. She looks into the empty tomb again, trying to determine what happened. Nothing makes sense. She sees the two angels who ask her why she is weeping. Mary responds:
They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.
Luke 23:13
Notice how Mary calls Jesus, “Lord”. Though she does not understand what has happened, her love for and trust in Jesus does not waver. He is her Lord. When she turns and sees Jesus, she does not recognize Him. Isn’t this also like us? Jesus promises He will never leave or forsake us, yet we often are blind to His presence because life is not turning out as we hoped. But Jesus does not turn away. He doesn’t rebuke her or condemn her for little faith. Instead, He asks her the same question of the angels:
Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”
Luke 23:15a
He invites her questions and helps her identify the root of her sorrow. Though she hears His voice (as we do through His Word) she still does not recognize His presence:
Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”
Luke 23:15b
Jesus gently pursues Mary and when He says her name, she knows He is her Lord:
Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!”
Luke 23:16a
What an emotional picture of life-giving love. Jesus moves Mary from misery to mercy to ministry:
Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.
Luke 23:17-18
I hope you see yourself in Mary. The enemy pursues each of us like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Though we don’t call it demon possession, we live in a broken world, enslaved by sin. Then Jesus calls our name and breathes new life into our souls. If we truly grasp our own wickedness and embrace the forgiveness Jesus offers, we experience resurrection power. We have no choice but to gladly follow Him, walking in obedience, and serving His body which is the church. Like Mary, when life crashes down, we will doubt, our emotions out of control, questioning whether anything we have believed about Jesus is true. Jesus pursues us and through His Word speaks truth and love and redemption.
As we move from Easter back to our daily routines, I pray your joy will overflow, as we know Mary’s did when she heard Jesus call her by name.
PRAYER
Oh Lord, thank you for the resurrection power You demonstrate every time You bring one of us from death to life. When we doubt or feel the brunt of this broken world, may we listen for You to call our name.
Sharon W. Betters is author of Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness and co-author of Treasures of Faith. She is Director of Resource Development and co-founder of MARKINC.org, a non profit organization that offers help and hope to hurting people. Sharon enjoys quality time with her husband, children, fourteen grandchildren, and one great grandchild.
Subscribe to Daily Treasure and have devotionals like this one delivered to your inbox.
Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.