Seen and Called by Name – Encounters with the Risen Christ
April 5, 2026 Easter Sunday - John 20:1–18 NIV

Have you ever had a moment where everything changed, and the world just kept going? You lost someone. Something broke. Something ended. The next morning you thought, “How is everything still moving?” Life goes on. But for you, not so much. Everything has changed. That’s where this story begins.

Mary Magdalene is walking to a grave. It is early... and dark. She is NOT expecting a miracle. She is headed to do something... one last act of love.

She arrives at the tomb and the stone is rolled away. She panics. She is NOT thinking resurrection. She thinks someone has taken Him. She runs to Peter and John. They come running. They see the grave clothes, but they go home.

Mary stays. She stands outside the tomb weeping. When she looks inside, two angels ask, “Why are you crying?” She says, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they have put Him.” When she turns, Jesus is right there. But she doesn't recognize Him. She thinks He is the gardener. Grief can do that. It can blind us.

Then Jesus speaks one word. “Mary.” The voice she knows so well speaks her name. And everything changes.

She cries out: “Rabboni!” John 20:16 John translates this word as “Teacher.” But Rabboni was the highest title of honor in all of Judaism. It wasn't just teacher. It meant “my great master.” In the oldest Jewish tradition, that title was reserved for God. Mary isn't just greeting her teacher; she is greeting her Messiah.

This is the moment. Mary standing three feet from the risen Son of God and doesn't recognize Him. Heartache, grief, and pain can shape our perception so that we miss what God is doing. Our vision narrows until all we see is loss and hopelessness.

How many times have we been where Mary is? How often have we walked toward our own version of that tomb? Crippling worry. Crushing pain. And the fear that we've been abandoned and forgotten. That is a lie. It is a lie that keeps us focused on the grave when the Savior is standing right in front of us.

Look at what Jesus does. He doesn't wait for Mary. He calls her by name. Jesus said in John 10, My sheep hear my voice. I know them. John 10:10 The Good Shepherd calls His sheep by name. In Isaiah, God said, I have called you by name. You are mine. Isaiah 43:1 On that first Easter morning, Jesus does that. He says her name "Mary." She is one of His sheep. Mary doesn't believe because she understands. She believes because Jesus calls her. He does all the work.

Here is the message of Easter. Jesus is alive. He is here. And He knows your name. He won't wait for you to find Him. He finds you. He speaks. And when He speaks, hope comes alive.

There are three biblical Easter Eggs I want you to see this morning.
(1) The setting. This happens in a garden. Remember: the world fell apart in a garden. Sin entered and death began its slow creep. Now, in another garden Mary encounters the risen Jesus and thinks He's the gardener. In fact, He is the true Gardener. The second Adam, standing in the place where the first Adam failed. This is the new creation.

(2) The angels. When Mary looks into that tomb, she sees two angels.... one at the head and one at the foot... Right where Jesus body had been. Two cherubim sat on the mercy seat, one on each end, above the Ark of the Covenant. Exodus 25:18–22 That was the most holy place in the world. It's where God met His people. It is where the blood of the sacrifice was sprinkled for forgiveness.

Mary is looking at the same picture. The stone slab where Jesus’ body lay has become the mercy seat. The final sacrifice has been made. The blood already sprinkled. When we come to this altar for Communion, we come to the same holy place. The body and blood of Jesus, given for us. God is with us.

(3) Listen to what Jesus says. Go to my brothers… my Father and your Father. John 20:17 Before this, Jesus spoke of “my Father.” Now He says “your Father.” He calls them brothers. The resurrection changes our relationship. Now, through the cross and the empty tomb, the Father welcomes us as His children.

Paul says, You have received the Spirit of adoption… by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.” Galatians 4:6 That is the power of Easter. It brings us home to our Father.

We started in the dark. Mary walking toward a grave. And with one word, everything changed. “Mary.” The risen Christ steps into our darkness, calls our name, and hope comes to life.
Lord Jesus, You are alive. You are here with us. You know the name of every person in this room and You call us. We are not forgotten. You found Mary in the dark and You do the same for us. Speak our names again today. And as we come to Your table, remind us that the mercy seat is open. You gave Your body. You poured out Your blood. And You welcome us home. Make us witnesses to a broken world that needs a Savior. In Your risen name we pray. Amen.