John 20:14-16 NASB
When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. [15] Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” [16] Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means, Teacher).
Mary Magdalene had spent so much time in her relationship with Jesus at His feet cultivating His presence and hearing His voice, that when Jesus spoke her name in the garden, she instantly recognized Him. She was looking right at him and did not know that it was Jesus but the moment He spoke her name, she knew. When you read the Gospels it seems as if every time Mary Magdalene is in close proximity to Jesus, she is at his feet. Mary wasn’t just a follower; she was a worshiper. Even though we have no record of Jesus speaking her name in their first encounter recorded in Luke 7; I believe that he likely did, and in that moment where she experienced the massive life transforming passion of the love of God in Christ, the sound of Him speaking her voice with such affection and acceptance, and even celebration never left her. I suppose she heard Him speak her name with deep affection and affirmation many times after that, as she worshiped at His feet, beholding his face, and listening to His voice. There is a very telling Scripture in Mark 15:40 – 41 that gives us some insight into her way of life before the Lord; “And there were also some women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene,… And when He was in Galilee, they used to follow Him and minister to Him…” Jesus told the woman at the well that the Father was looking for true worshipers, and one of the characteristics of a true worshiper is that they’re not always just looking to Jesus to minister to them; instead, they love to take advantage of of every opportunity to minister to Him. She lived a life of lovesick adoration, and praise, and I have discovered over the years that it is those who love to minister to Him, become the ones He’s able to use most to minister for Him. Because life in the Secret Place was Mary’s favorite place, she was able to proclaim the good news about Jesus as one who was still experiencing First Love.
Jesus told Mary Magdalene in the garden after speaking her name to “go to My brethren, and say to them, I of ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.” Verse 18 says, “Mary Magdalene came announcing to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord…” True worshipers are the best workers because worship must always come before witness. Mary recognized Him when she heard Him speak her name, not because she recognized His voice. He had already spoken a few words in that Easter morning encounter, and she did not recognize the sound of His voice, but when He said her name, she recognized the way He said her name once again with such affection, assurance, and affirmation. She had spent time enough, often enough, long enough, in His presence to know the sound of love and the voice of Jesus. One of the great values of being one who chooses to live their life ministering to Jesus in affection and worship before His face is that in moments when everything seems lost, or broken, and you can’t seem to see His face, you are able to hear His voice piercing the darkness speaking to your heart once again, and the sound of His relentless affection is enough to cause you to rise up as an overwhelming conquer because once again you discover that nothing can separate you from the love of Christ. That’s enough. It always is enough.