John 20:1-18

Hallelujah! This is it! The moment we have been waiting for: Jesus has risen from the dead!

But the disciples are not so quick to understand the situation. John tells this story in intimate detail, right down to the arrangement of the specific linens in the now-empty tomb. Simon Peter, Mary, and the 'other disciple' all believe that the body of Jesus has been stolen. "They still did not understand the scripture which said that He must rise from death." (20:18)

Mary is left alone at the tomb, where she sees two angels, and a man she believes is the gardener. The 'gardener' speaks to her two times, but on the third time, she recognizes Him as Jesus, risen from the dead.

Why three times? Why doesn't she recognize Him right away?

The third time He speaks to her, Jesus says one word, her name, "Mary". What a personal moment! Our names are used by all sorts of people, but it always sounds different when it is said by our mothers, our fathers, our spouses, our friends, our children. Hearing your name said with love and respect always feels warm and familiar. We call each other by name in our wedding vows. We say the baby's name at the baptism. After time apart, nothing sounds better than hearing your name said through the phone by a loved one.

The Bible is full of references to God using names with love. God spoke to Moses and Abraham by name. Jesus chose a new name for Simon. We are told that we will be called by our "Christian name" in Heaven. Many people describe personal meditative experiences during which they have been given a new and private name from God.

When Mary heard her name said with love by her Lord and Rabbi, how could she not recognize His voice? And, in doing so, she became the first witness to the Resurrection!

I come to the garden alone, While the dew is still on the roses,
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear, The Son of God discloses.
And He walks with me, And He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own.
And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known.

(Charles Austin Miles, 1913)