“Mary.”

“Mary.” All He said was “Mary.” And it brought her back to Him.

Life with Jesus began years ago when He set her free from the seven demons that had plagued her. Mary Magdalene came from the village of Magdala on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee near Tiberias. Through His healing, Mary found freedom and pursued a life of following Jesus. Travelling with several other women, Mary Magdalene provide for needs and ministered to Jesus. She sat under His teaching. She developed a deep love and devotion for Him. She followed Him, even to the foot of the cross.

Can you imagine the depth of hurt and pain, as she looked upon her Jesus on the cross and saw Him so battered, bruised, and broken? How could her Teacher have been condemned to this horrible death? Yet there Jesus was on the cross willingly giving His life. Her Teacher became her Savior as He died.

Complete burial preparations had to wait because of the Sabbath, but upon its completion, Mary Magdalene was ready. Being the first to arrive at the tomb Sunday morning, Mary carried spices to anoint Jesus’ body. As she neared the tomb, she noticed the stone sealing the opening was rolled away! Someone had taken away the body of her precious Lord! With fear in her heart, she ran to tell the disciples. Sharing what she saw, Mary made her way back to the tomb, never crossing paths with others who had gone ahead and already knew the truth – Jesus had risen!

Deep grief filled her heart not only with the Lord’s death but now a missing body. She arrived at the tomb and looked inside, searching for clues but finding two angels. In her weeping, she was hardly aware of their presence.

“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.” (John 20:13)

Sensing another presence, Mary Magdalene slowly turned around and saw Jesus. Yet, she did not see. Thinking Him to be a gardener, she again asked for the body of Jesus. It was then Jesus helped her to see.

“Jesus said to her, ‘Mary’.” (John 20:16)

“Mary.” The simple calling of her name broke through the barriers of her grief and helped her to see Him. Sorrow, grief, and confusion fell away as she recognized the voice calling her name. Jesus was alive! He had risen!

His simple call. Sometimes that is all we need. In a quiet moment, He will call our name and help us to see Him.

Maybe you are in a time of grief, sorrow, or pain. Maybe life just seems too hard, and the path seems unclear. Whatever you are facing, Jesus is there. He is holding you close, especially when all you need is to be held and hear His voice calling you.

“Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.” (Deuteronomy 33:12 NIV)

In His Love,

Susan