Jesus, the Man Who Loved Women by Bruce Marchiano

Author:Bruce Marchiano
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Howard Books

You know, the details of what actually took place during that first encounter are not recorded in the Gospels. But I wonder if, in the middle of that first gaze, Jesus didn’t smile one of those Jesus smiles and reach out his hand and call her name— Mary.

The reason I wonder that is because of what happened between Jesus and Mary Magdalene at the tomb, when he was arisen from the dead. She thought he was the gardener that morning. He stood before her plain as day. He even spoke to her, and still she didn’t know it was him. But then Jesus called her name—“Mary”—and immediately she knew. Oh how she must have thrown herself into Jesus’ arms. Oh how she must have cried and cried.

Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).

—John 20:16

I’ve heard several explanations concerning that mystery encounter, most of which lean toward the supernatural. But none of them ever rang to me as more than someone’s best guess, and the reality is that no one really knows for sure. So I can’t help but wonder if the truth of the matter isn’t something more human—something real and down-to-earth, something so “Jesus,” if you will, and downright lovely.

I wonder if he called her name that morning in a special way that had developed along with their friendship. I have to guess that Jesus developed wonderful friendships with all the men and women who walked with him and with whom he worked so closely during his three years of ministry.

I wonder if the way he said “Mary” wasn’t just one of those little “things” friends have with friends that are a kind of private communication. Maybe it was a certain tone in his voice that was there that very first day they met, and it just stuck with them. Maybe from then on, every time Mary felt down on herself or felt like giving up, Jesus would look at her say, “Mary,” and she would know what he meant, and nothing more needed to be said.

Yes, I wonder if it didn’t begin that very first day when Jesus reached one of his strong carpenter hands toward her and smiled from here to…well… eternity. Mary would have been so frightened to be singled out that day, so confused and unsure. But then Jesus speaks her name.

How does he know my name? At first that scares her even more, but at the same time it somehow calms her heart. It’s in the timbre of his voice. It’s in his quality of truthfulness. She believes this man—and so she offers her hand. With the care and respect due a lady of honor, he receives it into both of his.

JESUS.

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