Called By Name
Bible Readings
Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.
1 On Sunday morning while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 2 She ran to Simon Peter and to Jesus' favorite disciple and said, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb! We don't know where they have put him.” 3 Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 They ran side by side, until the other disciple ran faster than Peter and got there first. 5 He bent over and saw the strips of linen cloth lying inside the tomb, but he did not go in. 6 When Simon Peter got there, he went into the tomb and saw the strips of cloth. 7 He also saw the piece of cloth that had been used to cover Jesus' face. It was rolled up and in a place by itself. 8 The disciple who got there first then went into the tomb, and when he saw it, he believed. 9 At that time Peter and the other disciple did not know that the Scriptures said Jesus would rise to life. 10 So the two of them went back to the other disciples. 11 Mary Magdalene stood crying outside the tomb. She was still weeping, when she stooped down 12 and saw two angels inside. They were dressed in white and were sitting where Jesus' body had been. One was at the head and the other was at the foot. 13 The angels asked Mary, “Why are you crying?” She answered, “They have taken away my Lord's body! I don't know where they have put him.” 14 As soon as Mary said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there. But she did not know who he was. 15 Jesus asked her, “Why are you crying? Who are you looking for?” She thought he was the gardener and said, “Sir, if you have taken his body away, please tell me, so I can go and get him.” 16 Then Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him, “Rabboni.” The Aramaic word “Rabboni” means “Teacher.” 17 Jesus told her, “Don't hold on to me! I have not yet gone to the Father. But tell my disciples I am going to the one who is my Father and my God, as well as your Father and your God.” 18 Mary Magdalene then went and told the disciples she had seen the Lord. She also told them what he had said to her.
John 20:1-18
Memory Verse
John 20:15-16
15 Jesus asked her, “Why are you crying? Who are you looking for?” She thought he was the gardener and said, “Sir, if you have taken his body away, please tell me, so I can go and get him.” 16 Then Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him, “Rabboni.” The Aramaic word “Rabboni” means “Teacher.”
Do you know where your name comes from? Some people have family names passed down for generations. Other people are named after someone famous. And still others just have names that simply sound cool.
Wherever your name comes from, it is unique to you. Being called by name is very special. It means that you are important and people recognize you. On the other hand, not being known by name can make you feel like you don’t belong.
After Jesus died, his followers must have felt lost. Even though Jesus told them that he would rise from the dead, they were still scared and alone without their teacher and friend. So on Easter morning—when they got word from Mary that Jesus’ tomb was empty—they had to see for themselves. They ran as fast as they could and found the tomb empty, just as Mary had said. They left, not knowing exactly what to think.
But Mary stayed there, still searching for Jesus. Still alone and lost. Until Jesus was right there! And even though she didn’t recognize who he was, he knew exactly who she was. And all he had to do was say her name. “Mary.” And then she knew. She knew that she was not alone and that she was loved.
Jesus knows your name too. He lived, died, and rose again from the dead for you by name. Are there times in your life when you don’t feel known or loved? In those times, remember that Jesus knows your name. He calls you by name because he knows you and loves you very much. You are very special to Jesus!
Prayer
Thank you for knowing my name and calling me by name, Jesus! Thank you for living, dying, and being raised from the dead for me! Forgive me when I forget that I am loved by you. Help me to love you more and more each day. Amen.Related Resources
Bret Lamsma
Bret Lamsma is the Director of Faith Formation at First Christian
Reformed Church in Denver, Colorado. He has also served churches in
California and Michigan. He has a passion for youth ministry and
intergenerational ministry in the local church. When he isn’t working at
church or writing he enjoys hanging out with his wife and 2 children,
hiking, woodworking, and watching movies.