Devotion: Why Are You Weeping?
Please review the scripture from this weekend: John 20:11-18
Pastor Sarah’s message this weekend was a beautiful reminder of how sweet it is when Jesus calls us by name. We pick up the resurrection story in John 20:11–18, where Mary arrives at the tomb and discovers that Jesus’ body is no longer there.
It’s hard to know exactly what was going through Mary’s mind in that moment, but it’s safe to say she was deep in grief, mourning the loss of her teacher and friend. Grief has a way of clouding our vision. It wears us down and disorients us. It can keep us from seeing clearly. It’s understandable that she mistakes Jesus for the gardener, especially considering what she had just witnessed in His suffering and death on the cross. One could only imagine how horrid a sight they would have experienced.
But the reality is, Mary wasn’t speaking to a gardener, she was speaking to Jesus Himself.
And then Mary’s tone and everything about her in that moment changes when Jesus speaks one word. her name.
When Jesus calls her by name, she immediately recognizes Him and responds… “Rabboni!”
This wasn’t just a formal title of respect. This title in the Aramaic language carried deep personal affection when it was spoken as “my divine teacher.” In that instant, Mary knows exactly who is standing before her.
It’s such a tender and powerful moment. Mary clings to Jesus, overwhelmed with joy, and Jesus gently tells her to “stop clinging” (verse 17). You can almost feel her sense of relief, and then her disbelief turning into joy as she runs to tell the disciples: “Hey fellas, I have seen the Lord!”
This is such a rich passage! After His resurrection, Jesus doesn’t go bang on Pilot’s door, or persecute the Roman guards. In typical Jesus fashion, He goes to find His friends. Throughout the Gospels, we see Him walking with His friends, eating with them, speaking words of encouragement to calm them down and explain that He fulfilled the prophecy. And for sure He is calling them by name. It’s a living picture of what He told us in John 10:1–18: “the Good Shepherd knows His sheep, and His sheep know His voice.”
And the same is true for us.
In the middle of the “noises of life”. Our grief, our confusion, or even our doubt, Jesus is near to us. He still speaks. And He still calls us by name.
This story very much applies to us today! Jesus is not distant and nor is He silent. He is present and speaking. The question is whether we are making space to hear His voice.
Making space to hear Jesus call us by name might mean we put down our phones and pick up and read our Bible. It might mean that we step away from the noise in our life to listen to the quiet nudge of the Holy Spirit spoken through the Scriptures.
When we give time to listen to Jesus speak to us through His Word and through prayer, we often begin to see more clearly. Our grief can be met with hope. And, the confusing noise around us can be silenced giving way to purpose.
And like Mary, we don’t just hold onto that moment. Instead, we run and share it.
Because when Jesus calls your name it’s not just for comfort, it’s a calling to rise and let your light shine.
Gracious and loving God, thank you for never leaving me even when I am tempted to leave You. Rabboni, I invite you to come and be with me, and I welcome you into my heart and mind, knowing that only You can call me by name and give way to my purpose. In Your precious and Holy Name, Amen.
| Written by Matt Clay |
Matt and his wife Joanna have two young daughters, Emery and Madisen. The Clay’s have been members of the Sheridan community since 2014.
Matt’s spiritual growth has been influenced by the teaching of the late Dallas Willard, which led Matt to pursue an M.A. in Spiritual Formation from Spring Arbor University.
Matt works full-time in the financial industry and believes that God has called him to be a steward of His grace and presence in the marketplace.
