027 RIC Biblical Articles: Called by name: "Mary!"
027 RIC- Biblical Articles Called by name: "Mary!" April 25, 2025
Click here to listenJohn 20:16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).
Now that Easter is behind us and we are looking forward to Ascension Day, on which we commemorate that Christ ascended, we reflect on John 20. In John 20, we read in verse 1 that Mary Magdalene found an empty tomb without her Lord. She warns Peter and the beloved disciple. They see the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. The beloved disciple sees and believes, although they (Peter and John) do not yet understand that Jesus had to rise from the dead according to Scripture. Then they return home.
John tells us that Mary Magdalene remained outside by the tomb, weeping. Her crying is not just an expression of emotion, but reveals her deep connection with the Lord Jesus and her pain over His absence. Mary wept because she could no longer see Jesus. But faith is precisely trust in what you cannot see. Her love still looked with her eyes, but her faith had yet to be awakened. While she wept, she stooped down and looked into the tomb.
When Mary looked into the tomb, she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. The angels show that the grave is not just empty, but full of meaning from heaven. Their white garments show how holy and pure the event is: Jesus has risen, and that is something only God can do.
Mary’s attitude is remarkable. She is not frightened and does not flee. Her grief is so deep that even the appearance of angels does not bring her out of her mourning. The angels said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” Not a reproach, but a gentle invitation to think. Mary did not yet realize what she saw and did not yet understand what she knew. She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” Her words show love and solidarity. She calls Him “my Lord,” even now that He is gone. Yet she does not yet understand the resurrection. For her, Jesus’ body has disappeared. Her heart seeks, but her eyes are still closed to the reality of Easter.
Mary misses Him, but still calls Him: “my Lord.” That is the characteristic of grace: not being able to miss Him, even when you do not see Him. The Lord does not let go of such seeking love. Do you know that seeking? That longing for Him?
After her answer to the angels, Mary turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. The text gives no reason, which is significant. Her eyes were open, but her heart was still full of sorrow and searching. As is often the case in Scripture, the Lord does not reveal Himself immediately, but in His own time and way.
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.” Her answer is humble and full of dedication. She speaks to Jesus with respect and even wants to take His body with her, a sign of great love but also of ignorance. She wants to care, while He has come to save. Mary is sincerely seeking, but her heart is still in the darkness before the dawn of Easter. Christ Himself will free her from that seeking, not by explanation, but by His voice.
Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).
In this verse, the turnaround takes place. Mary has searched, cried, looked, and spoken, but without recognizing Him. Then Jesus speaks one word: her name. “Mary.” That one word opens her eyes, her heart, and her mind. No explanation or sign, but the voice of the Lord makes her recognize who He is.
This address is personal, intimate, and powerful. It reminds of Jesus’ words: “The sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” (John 10:3). Mary does not just hear a name, but her name, from the mouth of her Master. The voice that once called her from the darkness of her old life. “Mary.” Then she knew who He was. He still calls people like that, by their name. Not with a loud voice, but from within, in the heart. Has He called you too? Not just like that, but in such a way that you came to know and love Him?
Mary answers immediately: “Rabboni.” John explains that this means “Teacher.” It is a word of recognition, reverence, and surrender. In that one word she recognizes Him again as her Master and places herself under His guidance. At first, she does not recognize Him by His appearance, and therefore Christ reveals Himself by addressing her personally.
Whoever is called in this way, learns to know, love and follow Him. In this encounter, sorrow, searching, calling, recognition and dedication come together. Mary is the first to meet the risen Lord and His voice brings her to faith and wonder.
Do you know that moment, when everything falls silent and you recognize Him as Master? Do not let the searching rest, until you may say: “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28).
Mary was not rejected, but sent. This is how the Lord still works: whoever meets Him in truth, does not remain with himself, but becomes a witness of what he has seen and heard. Not out of merit, but out of grace.
Have you met Him? Then it does not remain silent. Then it becomes: “I have seen the Lord!” (John 20:18). And then you too receive a message, for others, but first of all for your own heart.