Relationship - Family

Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in. She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying. “Dear woman, why are you crying?” the angels asked her. “Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him. “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?” She thought he was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.” “Mary!” Jesus said. She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”). “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” [John 20.11-17]

There is so much I want to address today...

It was one thing for the man in the garden to speak to Mary, "Dear woman, why are you crying?" But it was entirely another thing when He called her name, "Mary." It was at that instant that Mary realized it was Jesus.

So, it is one thing for us to read the Bible and understand that it speaks to us - like the "supposed" gardener in the garden spoke to Mary. But it is another thing altogether when we, like Mary, hear that "gardener" call our name...

I cannot help but believe the significance of us hearing our name called is realized in a man or woman of God, who has faithfully called our name before God in prayer, calling our name. There is a recognition. There is a relationship. When we hear them call our name there is a supernatural recognition - we know they pray for us. Therein lies the power of God to change us!

On another note, Jesus told Mary in this same setting to let all the others know He had risen. But what is most interesting is what He also told her to tell them: "I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God." The relationship Jesus revealed here is amazing! "My Father AND YOUR FATHER, My God AND YOUR GOD!"

I am convinced we need to make ourselves comprehend the relationship we have with God. We are NOT just outsiders! WE ARE FAMILY!

Father, my Father, thank You for making me family! Thank You for knowing my name. And, thank You for each and every person who calls my name before You, who, in turn, confirms to me that YOU know my name! Oh, You are so good.