What’s in a Name?

8.18.2011

John 20:16 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). NIV

What’s in a name? Sometimes, we feel like we’re out here all by ourselves and no one knows and nobody cares. Sometimes, we feel as if we’ve been dispatched alone to the bow of the ice-breaker; sometimes we feel as if we’ve been benched.

The disciples (proper: meaning the 11) were in turmoil over the events of the last few days since Jesus’ arrest, sentence, and crucifixion. Talk about speedy ‘justice’. And now they were wondering, what’s next, where do we go from here? The other disciples: Mary, Mary, Martha, Lazarus, et al, were all in the periphery wondering as well.

Mary Magdalene, always the in control one, showed up at the tomb to do what she thought she was to do only to find things not as she imagined. Where was Jesus! What happened! Her surprise turned into panic and tears and suspicion. What were these two ‘men’ doing here; and what the bleep had that blankety-blank gardener done!? A tsunami of emotions was swelling.

Mary.

When it all goes to heck and we’re feeling alone and afraid, the sound of our name – gently, kindly – from a phone call, in an e-mail, a text, or in the office in front of our desk… what’s in a name? Mary almost melted. At once everything she feared vanished, and her terror turned into indescribable joy. Jesus almost had to hit her turn-off-now switch …

Not only are we blessed and refreshed at the sound of a friendly voice calling out our name, but we have the tremendous potential to do good in the life of one who is drowning is a sea of emotional turmoil by coming alongside and simply calling out their name and in whatever way healing their pain.

What’s in a name? There is power to help, heal, and to honor. There is peace and encouragement that knows no bounds. Knowing my name and hearing the sound of it is one thing; seeing one in distress and coming alongside speaking out theirs is quite another.

Today Jesus spoke out my name; I believe He bids me go and do the same – the hurting are all around us...