What Jesus Did! 'Mary!' — John 20:14-16

Monday, December 14, 2026

[Mary] turned to leave [Jesus' tomb] and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn't recognize him. "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."

"Mary!" Jesus said.

She turned to him and cried out, "Rabboni!" (which is Hebrew for "Teacher").

— John 20:14-16 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus had said that his sheep know his voice and he calls each sheep by name. [1] Indeed, they do. While Mary did not recognize Jesus when she saw him at first, as soon as he said her name, she knew! One of these days Jesus will say each of our names, and the faithful will rise to meet him and go home to live with him forever. [2] Our assurance of this future is rooted in what Mary was beginning to realize - her Lord had died, had been buried, and now was raised. Because of Jesus' victory over death, we can have confidence in his promise to each of us of life with him forever. [3]

[1] John 10:2-4.
[2] 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18.
[3] 1 Corinthians 15:20-23.

Today's Prayer

Almighty God, how can I thank you for such a wonderful hope! Thank you for Mary, whose faith held firm through her sorrow, despair, and confusion. Thank you for her experience, which helps me anticipate the day when Jesus will say my name, and I will see him face-to-face. In the glorious name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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6 Related Resources by Heartlight

He Knows My Name!
Article by Phil Ware
Does He really speak to people today? Phil Ware shares insights on Jesus calling Mary by name and speaking to us today.
Easter Clothes
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What kind of clothes did Jesus wear that first Easter Sunday. Rick Brown reminds us what is important about the clothes we wear on Easter and that Jesus appeared to Mary as a gardener.
Resurrection 2.4: When We Hear His Voice
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Mary heard his voice call her name and that one word changed everything for her! Phil Ware continues his series on Jesus' resurrection called resurrection 2.0, this week focusing on Jesus' word to Mary!
Go to My Brothers and Tell Them
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Who was the first apostle to the apostles? Phil Ware shares insights into Jesus' appearance to Mary Magdalene and how he commissioned her to go declare his resurrection to his followers.
See All 6 Related Resources about John 20:14-16

Illustration

Illustration of John 20:14-16 NLT — "Teacher"

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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