Beyond the Weekend

April 19 | By Name

April 19, 2017

John 20.14-18 

Mary is desperate to locate the executed body of Jesus. The risen Jesus approaches her and she presumes him to be the gardener. She pleads with him to reveal where he’s taken the body—she only seeks to restore an ounce of dignity to her fallen king. Then with one word Jesus reveals himself by calling her name, “Mary.” Each of us has someone we can recognize by voice, especially when they say our name as only they can. Mary knew instantly Jesus was no longer a corpse—he was risen to life!

There is pattern in Scripture of God calling people by name: Adam, Abraham, Moses, Samuel, John the Baptist, Peter and Paul. Our names speak to our very personhood. In the same way, God speaks to each of us personally and with great tenderness.

In John 10.3-4 Jesus describes himself as the Good Shepherd, “The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.”

Jesus knows your name and calls to you personally. He wants to know you and desires for you to enjoy and follow him. We do this as we learn to listen to his voice in Scripture. Watch the clip below from the weekend service to be reminded of this amazing truth.

Take a minute to journal a prayer of gratitude to God. He knows you by name, has called you out and desires to lead you as the Good Shepherd.

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