Called by Name in the Garden

11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 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.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 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.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).
John 20:11-16
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Called by Name in the Garden
Mary stands weeping, surrounded by empty space and unanswered grief. The tomb is open, but her heart is closed by sorrow. Even angels do not break through her tears. Mary sees but does not yet understand; sight alone cannot create faith. It is the Word that does. When Jesus speaks her name, everything changes. The risen Lord is not recognized by appearance, but by His voice. This is how the Good Shepherd still works. We often look for Jesus where we expect Him to be, where our reason or emotions lead us. But He comes to us through His Word, calling us by name. The One who was lifted up on the cross, bearing sin, death, and despair, now stands alive, speaking life into grief-stricken hearts. The cross looked like the end. The resurrection reveals it as victory. Mary’s tears turn to joy not because she found Jesus, but because Jesus found her. And He finds us the same way, by His gracious Word.