The jubilant observance of the glorious Resurrection Day is far behind us. I delved into the Scripture the week following Easter to unravel an important figure’s profound significance and to fully understand what transpired on that momentous day.
John 20 in part gives an account of the person on my mind, her grief and despair following the loss of everything that held so much significance in her life.
Yes, it is about Mary of Magdala known as ‘Mary Magdalene’.
She is mentioned more frequently than many of the apostles. Luke and Mark tell us that no fewer than seven demons had been cast out from her person by Jesus. How can she forget that? Forever grateful, she stayed by Him until His death and entombment. The excruciating death that Jesus suffered had left her limp and almost lifeless. The senseless and unfathomable tragedy had all but devastated her.
She was the last person at the Cross but the first at the Tomb.
As the biblical narrative goes: Then came the third day, that is the day after the Sabbath. She thought to herself, here is one more chance to see Jesus! Let me visit His tomb and anoint His body with spices and perfume.
Light edged over the horizon, and she joined the other women who hurried to the tomb. It didn’t occur to them that the stone in front of the tomb needs to be rolled away. Who would do it for them? They reached the site and were completely enthralled as their gaze was held captive to the astonishing sight greeting them; their jars of oils slipped from their hands.
The stone was rolled away! Jesus’s body was missing!!
We read about Peter and John who arrived at the tomb afterwards and their quick retreat to tell the others. But Mary Magdalene stayed, heartbroken and weeping.
Didn’t she realize that Jesus had risen from the dead? What was she thinking?
Jesus appeared behind her and called, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” (John 20:15) She heard the voice, but thought it was the gardener speaking.
She suspected it might have been he who was responsible for the disappearance of Jesus’s body.
But nobody was.
‘Jesus was the sole reason behind the empty tomb.’ He arose!
I can almost picture Jesus standing there and tenderly watching Mary weep with a gulp in His throat.
Indeed, it was Day three!
Jesus had told them He would rise but obviously the message had not sunk in.
He looks at the sorrowful Mary and calls her by name, yes, by her name.
(credit: Ray Downing)
” MARY”! (my favorite moment in the narrative)
And she immediately knows!
She cries out in Aramaic, “Rabboni”- Teacher (John 20:16).
She was overjoyed! Her sorrows vanished instantaneously.
We have the same Lord, who knows our names. And He calls us by our own names. What a comfort to know that our God is not only immensely powerful but is also intensely personal.
The Bible says in John:10 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
Isaiah 43:1 reads, ‘I have called you by Name. You are mine ‘
Isaiah 49: 16 reads, ‘Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands.’
He doesn’t need to call us “Hey you” or “Hello there”. He can call you by your very own name. Discovering someone’s name is akin to embarking on a voyage into their inner world. We forge strong friendships, strengthen bonds, and draw close to them. They are people we would love to have in our lives.
What is it that creates doubt in us? What makes it hard for us to recognize Jesus in our everyday life? Could it be that we are so caught up with our wounds and grief, our busy lives, our mundane cares? We might even think: ‘He doesn’t involve Himself in matters as small as I. He doesn’t know me nor care for my feelings.’
It is good to remember that God Himself gave names to people.
Adam, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac to name a few…
There are even people who have been called ‘ twice ‘ (or more times) by God!
Martha, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Samuel…
As you read this, please remember that Jesus may be walking toward you now, down the hallway of your heart and calling you by name.
It makes all the difference in our earthly life. It gives us hope for eternity.
And Jesus has many names Himself, ‘The Alpha and the Omega’, ‘The Good Shepherd’, ‘Emmanuel’, ‘ The bread of life,’ ‘Jehovah-Rapha’ and so many more; they all hold so much power.
Call upon Him. He will answer. Listen to that still, small, sweet voice of His, when He calls you. Do not shut Him out. He will carry you through.
Jim Caviezel who played the lead role in the ‘Passion of the Christ’ reveals with artistic finesse that in ‘God’s Hall of Fame’, nothing matters more except …
Why don’t you hear him for yourself!
The author’s bio (in her own words):
# Medical Microbiologist. I love science. Aww! The freaking microbes are my best friends. You can call me a virus hunter too—status quo for almost two decades. I love assisting physicians to diagnose and aid in healing humans efficiently. An alumna of the CMC Vellore, my career trajectory led me to the vibrant Middle East; my profile was enhanced there, working alongside professionals from the Royal Health Ministry. My “Aha” moments are when I’m engrossed in reading. How magically they steal my time! Currently a homemaker, I consider it a real privilege to write as a guest in one of the remarkable weblogs I follow avidly!
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