Monday, January 11, 2010

Mon.'s Devo - Call us by Name

Read John 20:11-18
They had all seen the empty tomb and left - that is, all but Mary. She stood beside the tomb crying and once more looked into the sepulchre. Much to her surprise, there were 2 angels sitting where Jesus had been laid. One at the head and one at the feet. They asked her why she was crying and she told them that they had taken Jesus' body somewhere and she didn't know where they had taken it. When she turned around she was face to face with Jesus. He asked her the same questions, Why are you weeping? and Who are you looking for? Her eyes must have been foggy with tears because she didn't recognize him and thought him to be the gardner. She asked where he had taken Jesus' body because she wanted it. Then he said her name. I can't imagine what she felt when she heard, really heard his voice calling her name like he had done so many times when he walked on earth. She immediately knew who he was. She must have made a move to hug him because he stopped her and told her not to touch him because he had not gone to heaven yet. He instructed her to go tell the disciples that he is going to ascend to his Father, God. So she ran and told them what had just happened.
This passage makes me see what a personal God Jesus is. Mary couldn't see till he called her name. I think of people I witness to that just can't see Jesus. The good news is that he will call them personally by name when he knows they are seeking him. Mary was seeking him so he came to her and called her by name. The disciples had given up and gone home. They missed it. But Jesus is going to come to them personally too. He promised he would give everyone an opportunity to hear their call. Lord, I pray that people everywhere would seek you and that you would come and call them out of darkness into your marvelous light.

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