Daily Devotions

By: Bill Dalgetty

John 20:16
Jesus said to her, "Mary".

On the first day of the week following Jesus' crucifixion,Mary Magdalene had gone to the tomb where Jesus had been laid. She sees that Jesus' body is not in the tomb and she is distraught. She encounters Jesus, but does not recognize him, thinking he is the gardener. Though she does not recognize him by sight, she does by the way he says her name. It was a sound familiar to her and exclusive to their relationship.

When I was a young boy, my mother called me "Billy." When I heard her call me, I didn't have to see her to know that it was she. My father used to call me "son." Again, I didn't have to see him when he addressed me to know that it was he. There was a special relationship and familiarity there. The same is true with my wife, Marilynn, members of my family and close friends.

That is the kind of relationship Jesus wants to have with us - one that is so close, so familiar, so intimate, we don't need to see him to know he is there. At every moment, at home and at work, he stands at the door of our heart waiting to be invited in, ready to give us understanding and love, ready to say our name. He says, I know my sheep and my sheep know me - his sheep follow him because they know his voice. (John 10:14, 4)

TAKE THE CHALLENGE: How close is your relationship with Jesus? Do you hear His gentle whisper in your thoughts? Is He with you at work? Do you recognize Him when He says your name?