Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing reflections on Jesus’ encounters with his followers after he had risen from the dead.
John 20:11-18
Mary is crying. She was the one who discovered the tomb was empty. She went to get Peter and John to come and look. They went inside the tomb. Then went home. Leaving Mary. Alone. Crying.
She goes inside the tomb and sees two angels sitting there. We assume that the angels weren’t there when Peter and John went inside the tomb. They ask her why she is weeping. She turns around and sees who she believes to be the gardener. He asks her the same question as the angels did. But also a second question: “Who are you looking for?”
Even when Jesus spoke to her, Mary didn’t recognise Him. Why would she? She knew he was dead. She was not looking for or expecting Jesus to be alive. She was looking for his body.
It takes Jesus just one word for Mary to recognise Him.
“Mary”.
No longer was she “woman” like when the angels spoke to her and when Jesus first asked her the question. She had a name. She was not a stranger. She was known.
The prophet Isaiah says “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1)
Who are you looking for?
Where are you searching?
Pause.
Let Jesus speak to you.
Hear him gently say your name. Know that you are not a stranger to Him. Let him reveal himself to you…and then go and share with others how you have “seen the Lord”.
