John 20:18 (ESV)—Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.
A clack traveled through the Costa Rican rainforest. Where is it? I wondered. Minutes later, the sound came a second time. The toucans were speaking to each other.
Like toucans use calls to communicate with their flock, Mary Magdalene sought Jesus with her cries. In John 20, she thrice asked about Jesus’ missing body. She spoke to the disciples, to two angels, and to the supposed gardener, but the only answer came from the gardener—her Teacher, her Rabbi, whom she recognized when he spoke her name. The risen Jesus replied to a member of his flock when she called—and she became the first witness to the Risen King.
Did you hear that? When Mary called, Jesus responded! First, he spoke her name and then replied with the command to “tell them” (John 20:17).
This scene assures us that when we dialogue with Jesus, he’ll respond. In our devastation or joyfulness, Jesus has an answer and, when he speaks our name, we become witnesses of our God who listens and responds.
How awesome is that?! Seeking God and listening for his response begin our journey to becoming a witness for Christ. His response becomes our account of his love, the substance for our witness. Today, let us go and announce words similar to Mary’s: “I have [heard] the Lord” (John 20:18).