“SHE DID NOT KNOW!”

 

John 20:11-18                 (ESV)

JESUS Appears to Mary Magdalene

“[11] But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. [12] And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of JESUS had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. [13] They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my LORD, and I do not know where they have laid HIM.” [14] Having said this, she turned around and saw JESUS standing, but “SHE DID NOT KNOW” that it was JESUS. [15] JESUS said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing HIM to be the gardener, she said to HIM, “SIR, if you have carried HIM away, tell me where you have laid HIM, and I will take HIM away.” [16] JESUS said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to HIM in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). [17] JESUS said to her, “Do not cling to ME, for I have not yet ascended to the FATHER; but go to MY brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my FATHER and your FATHER, to MY GOD and your GOD.’” [18] Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the LORD”—and that HE  had said these things to her.”

Picture this scene, where Mary and JESUS were near the tomb that had previously “stored” the body of JESUS.  Both of them were more than Spirits, avoiding the misconception that they were unable to be seen.  Mary was weeping (v. 15) and apparently was UNABLE TO SEE that the MAN WHO was talking to her was in fact the SON OF GOD???

In verse 16 JESUS said to her, “Mary”, and only then did she recognize HIM as the SON OF GOD!  Scripture doesn’t state anything additional, only that beforehand “SHE DID NOT KNOW” that it was JESUS talking to her, but he simply said “Mary” and she COULD SEE WHO was talking to her!  

To my knowledge, Scripture doesn’t record any reason why “SHE DID NOT KNOW” JESUS being alive, walking in her midst?  Only that THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES spoke her name!  Can you fathom THE ONE WHO simply SPOKE Creation into existence calling out your name?  HIS VOICE must have been altered from the brutal death HE had endured three days prior?  HIS RAVAGED BODY had to have been restored to some degree?  Yet HE simply spoke her name and she was able to SEE HIM!!

It is perfectly fitting that Mary was not able to recognize JESUS, UNTIL HE called her BY NAME with PURPOSE and she was MADE TO SEE HIM!!!  THE CREATOR OF THE WORLDS simply OPENED THE EYES of “SHE DID NOT KNOW” and THEN she DID KNOW!!!  

HE STILL IS THE EYE OPENER!!!