Called By Name

John 20:16-18 – Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that he had said these things to her. (NRSV)

Many years ago, I was a presenter at the Association of Presbyterian Educators meeting in Boston, USA. It was a full week of workshops, but I had an hour or two off, and I went exploring with a friend. I was told that the place just ahead of us was the site of the television show Cheers. You may remember that sitcom: it was the place "where everybody knows your name".

Likewise, Isaiah reminds us that God knows our name: "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine." (Isaiah 43:1b NRSV) When we are called by name and know that we belong, we can have absolute assurance of our place and position and purpose in this world.

Mary is called by name and her world is changed forever. Jesus says to her, "Mary!" She turns and says to Him, "Rabbouni!" With His one, simple word, death becomes life and crucifixion becomes resurrection. The world is transformed with the utterance of our name.

We are called
just as Jesus called Mary's name
alive, with her
standing in the garden
risen, reborn
salvation in his rising

God calls us by name
right when we need him
in our despair, our anguish
the trials of this life
with us when we are faithful
and when we run away
calling us to him
by our very name
       © Raymond A. Foss, used by permission

This Easter, listen carefully. Your name is being called. You are told, "You are Mine". Your name is added to the story of those who have experienced the resurrection, running side by side with Mary to proclaim, "I have seen the Lord!" Hearing of the empty tomb, Peter and John set out running. Who can you encourage to run toward the empty tomb this Easter so that they, too, can hear their name being called by the One Who is the resurrection and the life?

Prayer: "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24 NSRV). On this day of resurrection, it is my comfort and assurance that You know my name and that I am not my own, but body and soul, both in life and in death, I belong to You, my faithful Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

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