He is risen
He calls my name
John 20:15 & 16
15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).
Have you ever guessed someone’s feelings by the tone of their voice when they call your name? My kids know when they are in trouble the way I say their name. They know when I’m exasperated, angry or mildly annoyed by the tone of my voice.
I sometimes wonder what was Jesus’ tone of voice when He said “Mary”. Was it gentle because she was weeping? Did it have a chiding tone because He had told them He would rise again so had she believed, she should not be at the tomb looking for His body? Was it filled with love because she lingered after the other disciples left the tomb?
She recognized Him only when He said her name, and with that realization came hope, joy, gladness and it caused her to acknowledge Him in return. He had her full attention. She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, Rabboni, which means teacher.
He then gave her a command.
17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to My brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.’”
When we spend time diligently seeking His face, we will recognize His tone of voice when He calls our name. He is not always wanting us to do something for Him or the Kingdom.
Sometimes He calls my name to rest, sometimes to ‘go tell’, sometimes to be still, and sometimes it’s a gentle rebuke. Most importantly sometimes it’s an invitation to just be with Him, walking in His blessings.
I have to confess that at times my response to Jesus has been “too busy Lord, later” or “Can You ask someone else?”, or “Convict THAT person, she started it”. I have missed many blessings because I did not recognize the tone of His voice or understand the season of my life.
Jesus is risen and is not in a tomb. He lives in us.
Mary heeded His words and obeyed. She ran to tell her brothers and sisters in Christ. After she encountered Him, she did not go back and look into the tomb. We spend so much of our time looking into our tombs when we hear Him call us. Fear, self-condemnation, regrets constantly beckons us to the past, demanding we examine “what could have been’s”, the “if only’s”. Our old man is crucified with Christ and we are new creations in Christ Jesus.
He is saying your name. There is no fear attached when Jesus calls your name. Can you hear the tone of His voice? What is your response and do you know the season of your life today?
Partner with the Holy Spirit to begin a journey of listening and doing. That is the key to a victorious life, filled with peace, contentment, and healing.
Wishing you all a very Happy Easter.
In His Service,
Sohani Faria
Director
Sound of the Lord Mission
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Redeem the time and maintain a strong prayer life. Stay Blessed!
Rochelle Soza
Founder, Sound of the Lord Mission