The Voice

12.24.14

John 20.16 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus and St. Mary M. (ESV)

Mary was fraught. Mary was beset. Mary was desperate – or at worst, naïve. But Mary was the only one with courage enough to go down to the tomb that day first. The disciples were fraught, beset, and in hiding not knowing what to do next. Mary made up her mind she was going to go see what happened.

When she arrived at the tomb and found the heavy stone had been rolled away, she was saddened and grieved. “What has happened!? What have they done with Him!?” Two angels engaged her in conversation: “Woman, why are you weeping?” (v. 13) And turning to go she saw Jesus but thought He was the gardener: “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” And then miracle of miracles, Jesus said to her, “Mary.” (V. 16) And hearing her name, Mary almost exploded in unspeakable joy.

In John 10 Jesus said, “The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” (10.3) Mary heard her name. She heard her name by the Voice who spoke life into her. Mary was dazed and confused by the events of the past several days and the only thing that really got her attention was the sound of her name, spoken by the Voice she knew.

We mustn’t forget that Jesus speaks our name. We mustn’t get all fraught, beset, and distracted – we must listen for our name, spoken by the Voice we know. And Jesus speaks it all the time. The sheep know His voice and they follow the voice.

Much of life is confusing. Much of life is downright demanding. Much of life has bullying tendencies. It is in the midst of confusion, demand, and intimidation that we attune our ears to the Voice calling out our name. In the beginning it’s, “Sinner, come home!” After that it is, “Child, where are you going? Follow Me!” Jesus called out her name and in the midst of all she was suffering from, she heard it and came back to reality.

I think this is the last time in Scripture Mary is mentioned by name. But I firmly believe St. Mary was present on the day the Helper arrived and the tongues of fire landed on the disciples and the Church was born in glory with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. God speaks to those who will listen and in the midst of the turmoil of life, whatever it is, wherever we are: are we listening for His voice to call us by name?

Jesus, You know my name. You speak my name. And You call me back, asking, Paul, will you come and follow Me? I am glad Lord, You know Your sheep by name and they hear Your voice and follow You. May I have ears to hear today? May I have eyes to see today? And may I, when life’s billows roll, listen for Your voice calling out my name, finding peace like a river attending my way? I love You Great Shepherd of the sheep – Amen.