He Calls Your Name

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.”  Jesus said to her, “Mary!”
(John 20:15-16 NLT)

It had been the worse week of Mary’s life.  She had followed Jesus.  She had heard His words of life. He had seen the love of God displayed in the flesh.  Jesus, the one who associated with sinners.  Jesus, the one who healed the sick.  Jesus, the one who raised the dead.  Jesus, who taught so powerfully and told of a kingdom to come.  And he was dead.  She saw it with her own eyes as He breathed His last.  The agony of hearing My God, My God why have you forsaken me from His parched lips. 

In the pre-dawn hours she hurries to go and anoint His body.  What else could she do?  He had given her so much.  Her grief was immeasurable as she rushed to the tomb.  And now, even His body is gone.  Her grief pours out in uncontrollable weeping.  Peter and John were there, but now they are gone and she is alone.  Even the sight of the angels does not allay her sorrow.

Then she hears her name.  She hears her name just as she had the first time Jesus found her plagued with sickness and evil spirits (Luke 8:2). 

C. Austin Miles was pondering this passage in 1910 when in, what he described as a trance or vision, he was transported to this scene on that first Easter morning.  He saw Peter, he saw John, and he saw Mary.  I think he felt the pain of Mary and the joy when she hears her name.  After this life changing experience he wrote the beloved Easter Hymn, In the Garden.

There is something about our name.  Our name signifies our uniqueness.  We aren’t just one of many, we are someone.  And Jesus calls Mary’s name.  And He calls my name, and your name, He calls us each by name.  And in the words of that beloved hymn, he tells me I am His own.