Mary went to the tomb early in the morning. It was still dark. She was surprised by what she saw. The stone had been rolled away and Jesus’ body was gone.
She thought that someone had taken it. She ran to tell the disciples. Peter and John ran to the tomb to see. When they arrived, it was just as Mary said. The tomb was empty. Peter and John left while Mary stayed.
She wept outside the tomb. She did peer in and encountered two angels. They asked why she was crying. She told them the same thing she told the disciples, “They have taken my Lord away.”
She turned from the tomb and saw someone in the garden. Mary thought it was the gardener. He asked her who she was looking for. She thought this man may have taken the body. And then a single word from Him changed everything for her.
“Mary.”
The mention of her name penetrated the clutter and confusion in her mind. She recognized Him. Jesus was alive!
She wanted to cling to Him, but He had other things to do. She returned to the disciples with the good news, “I have seen the Lord!”
How personal the Lord is that He would call Mary by name. But isn’t that what He does with each of us? We do not have the privilege of hearing Him face to face like Mary did. But through His Spirit He calls us out individually. He speaks our name.
When He does, our confusion disperses and we know. He is alive. It is that moment everything changes. Like Mary, we become witnesses of the most significant event that has ever occurred, the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Every day, Jesus tenderly calls out the names of others in this world. He uses our voices to do so. When a person responds, they are added to that great chorus of believers declaring the greatest news of all, “He is alive!”
Resurrected life. As Bob George always said, “If both my legs were cut off and grew back, that would not be as great a miracle as being born again.” I don’t know about the rest of you, but when I was born again, 4/7/2005, I knew that something had changed, I just couldn’t explain it.
Everyone I went to for help in understanding, seemed unable to satisfy me. In fact, the more people I talked to, the more confused I became. Then God led me to People to People, and this ministry showed me that the only way I would ever get clarity was to get to know Jesus. I thank God for his provision both of resurrected life and the preparing of competent ministers, so that I could understand.
William, new birth is the greatest miracle we will ever experience. And it is brought about by the resurrection of Jesus. Thanks for your kind and encouraging words. Bob
Being born again is a miracle, I know I experienced it.
Just like Jesus told Nichodemus, ” You must be born again”. I feel blessed that, that day is so vivid to me. I also have my concerns that those Christians that can’t recall a similar time in their life, that maybe it hasn’t happened yet!