It's In Your Name

(You know when a song really gets to you, all of a sudden, after you've listened to it for months? Listen to this, This is Amazing Grace. Put it on while you read this blog. Listen to it in the shower. While you're making breakfast. Selah.)

This man, in charge of men, knew that he was putting to death an innocent man. He even tried to set him free, but the masses wouldn't hear of it. The innocent man, it was actually HIS OWN PEOPLE, who wouldn't hear of it.

Kill him they shouted. Nail his skin to a cross.

It was up to the man, and he handed the innocent over to be crucified. He also had a sign crafted, and this is what it said, "JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS".

His own people were furious. It wasn't supposed to say KING OF THE JEWS, it was supposed to say This Man Claimed To Be The King Of The Jews. But it didn't. Haha. It didn't!

Pilate, the man, may not have laid down his life for the innocent, but he got it right.

KING OF THE JEWS.

Posted on high, for all the watchers to see. Clearly written, the truth, of who they were punishing. The king of ALL kings, he hung there for me.

And then, as the story unfolds, Mary is outside the tomb crying. Two angels show up and speak to her. She relents that someone has taken her Lord away and she doesn't know where to find his body. It doesn't mention how she reacted to talking with angels, but then there was a gardener. She turned around hearing him, "Woman, why are you crying?" Who is it you are looking for?".

She just wanted to know that if he was the gardener and he carried the body away, then just tell me, she said, and I'll get him.

"MARY. Mary."

All He did was say her name next and her spirit immediately knew. It was Him. It was teacher. It was Jesus.

I can't help but think how personal these stories are. I can't help but wonder how Pilate must have felt after sentencing an innocent man to death. Was he grieved? Was he angry? Was he depressed or remorseful?

And Mary, how much I can relate to her. I'm in the midst of worry. I'm listening to worship music. I'm driving in the car or browsing through a magazine. But then I hear him speak. my. name. My name.

Un-done.

When he speaks your name, it goes from them, to personal. It sends chills up my spine and I am honored that He even chooses US, to speak to. But He does.

He speaks to you all the time. All. the. time. Because you are worthy. He has done it all. It was finished. All you have to do is recognize it and ask for it in your life.

Doesn't it make life worth it, to know that every morning that you wake up, someone is calling you by name. Someone has put a stamp on your forehead today, and said, you were worth it.

You are worth it.