Grace-ward!
“Woman” he said, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.
“Jesus said to her, ‘Mary’”. She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni” (which means Teacher). – John 20:15,16
When surrounded by confusing and uncertain situations one the greatest sources of comfort is the sound of a familiar voice. If a child becomes lost and disoriented in a store, an airport or on the street, their panic begins to immediately subside the moment they hear the familiar voice of someone whom they know loves them.
Certainly Mary was in a state of distress and confusion when she discovered her Lord’s body was missing from the tomb. She did not recognize Jesus by sight when she first encounter our risen Lord (possibly because of her extreme despair). When he addressed her simply as “Woman” she still did not recognize his voice. Everything changed when he called he by name in the familiar tone of closeness, care and intimacy that she was familiar with. Hearing his voice and familiar tone of concern opened her eyes as well as her ears! The demonstration of love and concern that Jesus reveals is amazing. He pauses in the his redemptive schedule to comfort Mary in her distress! Before going back to the Father, he goes to Mary.
Two points to ponder stand out to me from this scene…
1. Jesus sees and knows me intimately even when I don’t see him or recognize his activity in my life.
2. Hearing his familiar and intimate voice opens my eyes and gives me clarity.
Jesus quiet the tempests of my heart with your compassionate voice.