When Jesus Calls Your Name

Opening . . .

When I was younger, I was called by my first and middle name.

This was a “southern” way. Typically, it was meant as a way of endearment.

For me however, I didn’t like being called by my first and middle name, especially as I entered my teenage years.

Being called, “Billy Joe,” or better yet, “Joey,” seemed like names for a little boy

It took me many years until I was well within my teens to convince my family to call me by my first name only.

I was also named after my dad.

The only thing that saves me from the title Jr. is we have different middle names.

When someone would call our home and ask to speak to Bill, the common response was; “do you want to speak to “big Bill” or “little Bill?”

As you can imagine, I didn’t treasure the thought of being called little Bill either.

My last name is Best.

I have been called a variety of names in reference to my last name.

I have been called, “worst,” “better,” and other names I won’t mention.

Each time attention was brought to my last name, I felt the need to prove my name. I was called “Best” and therefore, I felt the need to become the best at whatever I attempted.

When I was a boy, I knew I was in trouble when my parents called me by my full name.

“William Joseph Best” had a meaning.

I did something that was going to be corrected, and when my name was called, I was expected to come to my parent’s voice.

For me, the calling of my name was at times enough. I recognized my wrong doing, and my parent’s displeasure was a discipline in and of itself.

‌ John 20:11-16

“Mary stood outside at the tomb, weeping. Then, while she was weeping, she bent over to look into the tomb, and she saw two angels in white, seated one at the head and one at the feet where the body of Jesus had been lying. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have put him!” When she had said these things, she turned ⌊around⌋ and saw Jesus standing there, and she did not know that it was Jesus.

Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?” She thought that it was the gardener, and said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will take him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

Opening Observations . . .

Mary is the first to arrive at the tomb.

She remains outside the tomb and is weeping.

She decides to look inside.

Two angels are seated where Jesus laid.

Mary has a conversation with the angels.

Mary turns to see who she believes to be the gardener.

Notice the questions Jesus asked Mary:

Why are you weeping?

Who are you looking for?

“Why are you weeping?”

To me, this question would indicate a compassion being expressed. It contains a concern for the one weeping. It also makes the one asking the question available for the answer.

I believe Jesus was making Himself available to Mary as the Prince of Peace who comes to still our hearts and calm our fears when we experience the unexpected. Here stood the very One who had been raised in power.

We could easily expect Him to make a statement of victory and overcoming. Instead, He asks a question which contains the very essence of care and compassion. Once again, Jesus momentarily sets aside His divine right in order to love the individual standing before Him.

“Who are you looking for?”

This is a question I am required to answer myself. I believe it is a question Jesus is still ask all of us today.

Mary’s search led her to the tomb. She was looking for a dead Jesus. The answer to Christ’s question will also determine where we go to find who we are searching for.

Mary thought Jesus was the gardener.

Why wasn’t Mary able to recognize Jesus?

Grief

Expectation: “You see what you look for”

How do we respond when our expectations are interrupted?

Our typical response to times such as these goes along these lines . . .

“I wasn’t expecting that . . . I feel frustrated.”

“I wasn’t expecting that . . . I feel afraid.”

“I wasn’t expecting that . . . I feel excited.”

Mary wasn’t expecting an empty tomb.

She had witnessed the brutality of the beating and crucifixion of Jesus, and she was fully prepared to see His body lying in the tomb upon her arrival.

Her initial response to the unexpected was rational thought.

His body was missing; therefore, someone must have taken Him in the night.

When we experience the unexpected, we attempt to make sense of the situation based on our current level of understanding.

There must be a logical explanation as to why this interruption of my expectation has occurred.

One word changed everything . . . “Mary”

It was at the mention of her name that the fear and confusion which had seized her soul slipped away.

It was at the mention of her name that the unexpected received new meaning.

It was at the mention of her name that she found new purpose in life. “Go tell My disciples”

What was it about her name?

Our identity is in our name.

“You are mine”

Being called by name establishes relationship and belonging.

Our family connection is in our name.

“You are in my family”

Family connection establishes security, guidance, and acceptance.

Our sense of self-worth is in our name.

Being called by name provided Mary with recognition and validation

Affirmed that she was seen

What was it about her name?

When Mary heard her name, hope came alive.

When she heard her name, joy came back to her heart.

When she heard her name, peace overtook the confusion.

Jesus calls our name today:

Revelation 3:20 (LEB)

Behold, I stand at the door and knock! If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, indeed I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with me.

Can you hear Him call your name?

As I shared in my introduction, when a parent called us by name, we often associated the call with that of discipline.

Jesus isn’t calling us by name to discipline us.

Jesus is calling us by name to establish a new identity.

Jesus is calling us by name to welcome us into His family.

Jesus is calling us by name to provide a sense of self-worth that can only be found in relationship with Him.

What is your response?

Jesus stands and knocks

He waits for an answer.

He will never force His way into our hearts.

There is one word in the invitation of Jesus which determines the outcome . . . “if.”

Jesus calls us by name, but gives us the choice to say “no.”

Prayer:

Jesus, we believe that You died and rose again.

We believe that You are still calling us by name.

Just like You made Yourself available to Mary outside of an empty tomb, You make Yourself available to us today.

You call us by name, and invite us into a relationship with You.

Lord, I ask that each and every person here today would hear You calling their name.

Help us to respond to Your voice by opening the door of our lives and inviting You in.

We ask this in Your name. Amen.

Next step . . .

If you prayed that prayer with me, it is important to tell someone.

Jesus asked Mary to tell His disciples.

Sharing with others helps us embrace the reality of Christ living in our hearts.

Close . . .

Kelli and I will be down front after service.

We would like to get to know you by name.

We are available to pray with you.