Jesus has purpose in your sorrow.
John 20:11–18
This passage reveals Jesus's deep, personal relationship with his followers. He calls them by name and meets them in their sorrow. Mary’s grief turned to joy when she recognized him, showing how faith in Jesus transforms despair into hope. His instruction not to hold onto him signifies that his followers would now relate to him spiritually rather than physically, as he would soon ascend to heaven. Mary was the first to witness and share the news of his resurrection, highlighting that God entrusts all believers—regardless of status or background—with the mission of spreading his message.
What speaks to me most in John 20:11–18 is how Jesus calls Mary by name. That one moment changes everything.
At first, Mary is lost in her grief—she’s overwhelmed, confused, and unable to recognize Jesus even though he is right there with her. But the second he calls her name, “Mary,” she knows exactly who he is. It’s such a powerful reminder that Jesus knows us personally. He sees us in our pain, even when we don’t see him.
It also shows how grief and sorrow can cloud our vision. Sometimes when we’re hurting, we don’t recognize that God is still working in our lives. But he is. And he calls us by name, reminding us that we are not alone.
I also love that Jesus gives Mary a purpose. Instead of allowing her to stay in sorrow, he entrusts her with sharing the greatest news ever—the resurrection. To me, that’s a reminder that even in times of loss or struggle, God still has a purpose for us.
CHALLENGE: Think about…
- How do these verses personally impact you?
- How do these verses impact you as you serve on a Sunday?
Written by Karin Whitten
