“He Knows Your Name”

Isn’t it beautiful that the very first person to whom Jesus chooses to appear after His resurrection is not Pontius Pilate, not the Caiaphas, the high priest, not Peter, or one of the other men, but He chose to appear to a weeping woman with a dubious past? And isn’t it exquisite that His first words are not a proclamation of power but a simple, pastoral, and playful question: ‘Why are you crying?’ She responded to Him, not knowing who He was, until He called her by name. Then she recognized Him; then she knew that it was Jesus.

That is so powerful! Jesus, the risen Savior who was “in the beginning with God”, cared that Mary was alone and crying at the place where they laid Him. He cared enough to make Himself known to her, which caused all her fears and angst and worries to go away. How many women remember what she was doing when Jesus called her? Where was she when He called her name in a way which was so loving and caring that she knew it was Him? How did He make Himself known to her?

She didn’t meet Him at the empty tomb as Mary did. She didn’t meet Him at the well like the unnamed woman. He didn’t defend her from an angry mob as He did the woman caught in adultery. But, still, one day, she heard Jesus call her name. As in the words of the old hymn, “softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, calling for you and for me”. Probably, when she was at her lowest and her life seemed the darkest, she heard Him calling her name. From the Word of Life, He lovingly helped her to know that she belongs to Him and He loves her just as she is. That’s when she knew that even though Jesus loved the world, He loved her, individually and absolutely, and it changed her life.

Most people are not good with remembering names. They often have to interact with someone several times before the name sticks with them. But they can thank God that He knows their name, and when they need Him the most, He will call to them by name to remind them that He is near.

14: Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.

15: Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”

16: Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).

18: Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.

John 20 (NKJV)

“How sweet the name of Jesus sounds, in a believer's ear! It soothes her sorrows,

heals her wounds and drives away her fear.”

- John Newton

In the power of His glory, be blessed!

[1] Portions excerpted from https://bible.com/bible/114/jhn.20.15.NKJV