Named

Grace for All · Aug 9, 2026 · 4m

John 20:16 (CEB)

Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabbouni” (which means Teacher).

Sometimes people read this story and wonder how Mary could possibly have mistaken Jesus for the gardener. How could she not recognize someone she knew so well?

I had an experience last week that helped me understand.

I was conducting the funeral for one of our longtime church members. During the service, I invited people to stand and share a memory or two. A woman stood up in the back of the sanctuary, and I said, “Go ahead, ma’am.”

Only after she started speaking did I realize…