2 April 2013 - called by name

2 April 2013 - called by name

Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?
Whom are you looking for?”

She doesn't realize that she talked to angels.  At first she doesn't recognize Jesus even when he himself is speaking to her.  The risen Jesus speaks to her but she doesn't realize it until he calls her by name.


Jesus said to her, “Mary!”
She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” 

Only when it is personal and she is known in all of her individuality does is she finally able to see the one who is speaking to her.  We are not just one amongst a a congregation.  We are not just one lost in a sea of faces.  He knows us.  He calls our name.  He comes to us in all of our individuality to reveal himself as the risen one.  He knows about our preconceptions and struggles and everything that makes our case unique and difficult.  Mary Magdalene displays immense love for the LORD yet she clings first to the idea that he is dead and second to the idea that now things will be just as they were before he died.  In calling her by name Jesus penetrates past all this to the deepest part of her heart.  She is able to realize he is risen and is able to restrain her desire to keep him here as he is and so allow him to go to the Father in order that he might pour out the Spirit on his people.

The Spirit guides his people into all truth.  Whereas Jesus before his ascension is still external to us the Spirit is the very life of God within us.  Before the Pentecost we see cycles of fear when Jesus is distant and hope when he is near.  But now that the Spirit has come we are closer to God than ever before and need never be distant from him again.  His truth is now internal, written on our hearts, and so we can be confident like Peter.


“Let the whole house of Israel know for certain
that God has made him both Lord and Christ,
this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Transformed by the Spirit we can't help but want for others what we ourselves have received.


“Repent and be baptized, every one of you,
in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins;
and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

We have doubted his plans for us and for the world at one time or another.  Maybe we're even doubting it right now.  But the Spirit is ready to fill our hearts with new confidence.


Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.