Recently we have noticed that he has not been as alert as he has been in the past. When any of the family returns home, he does not greet us as he once did until we are in the house, and it appears to be a little too late. Noises that once made him respond with barking no longer elicit that response, so our conclusion is he is losing his hearing.
However, a few noises still call him to attention. The noise made when a person puckers their lips making an exaggerated kissing sound. The rattling of pots and pans indicating the preparation of dinner. The word “outside.” And the one pronounced noise that elicits the most significant response, his name. Out of all the sounds that we make in a day that he can still hear, his stated name brings him to attention with ears back and an expression of expectation. It is his name that brings his focus to the one speaking to him.
This illustrates John 20:11-16 (NLT)
11 Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in. 12 She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying. 13 “Dear woman, why are you crying?” the angels asked her.
“Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”
14 She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him. 15 “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?”
She thought he was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.”
16 “Mary!” Jesus said.
She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”).
This passage records Mary Magdalene going to Jesus’ tomb. She finds the tomb empty, and the significant amounts of grief from the week’s events came to ahead to the point that she was beside herself. Notice that two angels had appeared to her, and had minimal effect on her. Then Jesus Himself appeared, and she still could not understand the significance of the moment. It was not until she heard her name spoken by Jesus, the Son of God, that she was able to discern the significance of the moment during her grief, the angelic appearances, and Jesus’ presence. “Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”
14 She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him. 15 “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?”
She thought he was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.”
16 “Mary!” Jesus said.
She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”).
Today, the LORD is calling you. He calls you by name. No matter what you are experiencing, He knows you, and He is with you. Read through John 20:11-16 and insert your name in place of Mary. Allow the LORD’s voice to resonate in your spirit and soul. The LORD is calling you and desires to reveal Himself to you in exceptional ways.
This week, enjoy your relationship with the LORD, He is your Father, and you are His child.
