Mary: first to see, first sent to tell
Daily Scripture
John 20:14-18
14 As soon as she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she didn’t know it was Jesus.
15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?”
Thinking he was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him and I will get him.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabbouni” (which means Teacher).
17 Jesus said to her, “Don’t hold on to me, for I haven’t yet gone up to my Father. Go to my brothers and sisters and tell them, ‘I’m going up to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
18 Mary Magdalene left and announced to the disciples, “I’ve seen the Lord.” Then she told them what he said to her.
Daily Reflection & Prayer
Mary thought Jesus was “the gardener.” In symbol, he was—Adam failed, but Jesus would set earth’s “garden” to rights (cf. Genesis 2:15, Romans 5:15-21). “There is no need to seek for elaborate reasons why Mary did not know Jesus. The simple and the poignant fact is that she could not see him through her tears.” * Her eyes didn’t recognize Jesus, but it seems his voice, the way he said her name, was unmistakable. Then Jesus sent Mary to be the very first eyewitness to his resurrection.
- The sound of Jesus’ voice, which she had feared was forever silenced, moved Mary in a flash from utter despair to unbelievable joy. How can you more and more come to know the “sound” of Jesus’ voice in your mind and heart? What steps will help you keep your relationship with Jesus personal, a link between your heart and his, rather than just an academic exercise?
- Scholar N. T. Wright said, “She is the apostle to the apostles. ‘I’ve seen the master, and this is what he said!’ Nothing like fresh, first-hand evidence. If someone in the first century had wanted to invent a story about people seeing Jesus, they wouldn’t have dreamed of giving the star part to a woman. Let alone Mary Magdalene.” ** Jesus trusted Mary to share the good news of Easter. What does that tell you about how Jesus valued both women and men in his new creation?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, in the beginning you created. Then, when everything went wrong, you came and launched a new creation. I want to be part of your new creation, to join Mary in sharing the news of a risen Lord. Amen.
GPS Insights
Jennifer Creagar
Jennifer Creagar serves as the Community Assistance Coordination Director in Resurrection's Congregational Care Ministry. She is married and loves spending time with her family, and she enjoys writing and photography.
I grew up in a small town where doors weren’t locked and no one ever knocked. That helps me relate to today’s beautiful Scripture moment: “But Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ And she turned to him and said to him in Aramaic, ‘Rabbouni.’” What an amazing moment for Mary, and for the other disciples who would soon hear Jesus’ voice.
In the town I grew up in, the custom was to open the door a bit and call out a greeting, usually using their name and offering your own. “Hello, Aunt Jackie, it’s Jennifer! I’m just dropping off some flowers from Mom’s garden.” Then the person you were visiting would come out of the kitchen, or around the corner of the hall and exclaim “Jennifer, it’s so good to see you!” It was a lovely custom.
Our names, spoken out loud, have great power. How many times, when we’ve lost someone, do we wish we could hear them say our name one more time? Mary got that blessing.
We can have that blessing, too. We can open the door and call out “Jesus, I’m here to talk to you!” and Jesus replies “[insert your name here] it’s so good to see you. I have something I want to show you,” or maybe “you look so tired–sit with me a while.” When a certain piece of Scripture grabs you, or confuses you, or challenges you, put your name in front of it. I have my name written in front of this one in my Bible: “Jennifer, He has told you what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and love kindness and walk humbly with your God.” (Micah: 6:8)
Jesus sees us. He calls us by name. He gives us instructions and encouragement, peace and comfort.
Lord, thank you for speaking my name, and letting me call out to you by name, sit with you and be blessed. Help me share that blessing with others just as Mary did when she shared the wonders of resurrection, and Jesus’ words, with the other disciples. Amen.
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Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
References
* William Barclay, The Gospel of John—Volume 2 Chapters 8–21 (Revised Edition). Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1976, p. 268.
** N. T. Wright, John for Everyone, Part 2: Chapters 11-21 (The New Testament for Everyone) (p. 146). Westminster John Knox Press. Kindle Edition.
