Revelation- When Jesus Calls My Name

Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.  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!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). John 20:14-16

Jesus had become the central figure in Mary’s world, yet she still understood so little of Him. She knew Jesus – so she thought. She had been with Him, watched Him, served Him, followed Him, and deeply loved Him. Yes, Mary knew Jesus better than most, but that knowledge was so limited that she didn’t recognize Him though He stood right in front of her . . . “and [she] did not know that it was Jesus.”  Mary’s knowledge was built on familiarity and experience, and that’s true of most of us today. And, just like Mary, there is something lacking our in knowledge of who Jesus really is.

There is a deeper level of knowing the Lord reserved for those desperate for His abiding presence – those of us who hunger and thirst for a more personal and authentic relationship with God. We don’t see Him at first, but He sees us - Jesus said to her, “Mary”. Once we hear our name on His lips, we are never the same. She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!”  Now we see the One who sees us. This is the point where our knowledge of Him becomes something greater; it becomes revelation.

The term “revelation” means unveiling. Therefore it is perfectly possible to possess knowledge, yet totally miss the true nature of a matter altogether. God is determined that our knowledge of His Son progress beyond an intellectual acknowledgment of the historical Jesus – that He was simply a great teacher, a martyr, a great man, and a prophet. The Holy Spirit will not stop until we come to see Christ for ALL He is – God, Lord, and our personal Savior! This is the unveiling He does in our hearts when we earnestly seek Him. He comes to us and calls us by name, bringing us into the most intimate personal relationship – oneness! Search for Him and listen closely. You’ll hear Him calling your name.

Love and peace,

Pastor Eric