John 20:16

Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

Every time I hear this verse, I feel love. I hear the exclamation point. Gratitude, expectation, excitement, adoration. Mary went looking for Jesus. But she went where he was. In her surprise and in her adoration, she is expressing her desire for what was. And after this moment where she says, “Rabboni!” Jesus tells her, "don’t hold on to me. Go to the others and tell them."

With love in her cry, how does Jesus respond? Let go. Go! Share.

She is searching, but she is searching for something that isn’t there. It is transformed. Reborn. Everywhere. Go. Tell. Look forward, not back.

For all of the love and joy we have experienced, we should be grateful. We do not need to forget it. But does it do any good if we do not bring it to bear on our future and those we encounter daily? Don’t focus on the past. Don’t cling to that which will not last.

Tomorrow is a new day where there are new challenges. To grow in our understanding and in the mission of sharing what God has given us, we must leave the tomb behind and go tell others. We must look for Jesus on the road. We must speak words of love into action that transforms. We must share what we have experienced in the past with those we meet today and in the future.

Each day when we wake, let us wash away the sin of yesterday through the gift of Jesus and his resurrection. Let us be strengthened by the love shared with us. May we be reborn in our commitment to be more Christ-like. Let us not sit idly at the foot of the cross wondering what to do. Go. Do. Love.

Rabboni! Give us the strength to share your love. Not once but always. Rabboni! Give us the insight to see you out there in the world. Not on the cross but in all of creation. Rabboni! Give us the humility to accept that our one and only call is to share You with the world, Amen.

This devotional was written by Jill Pope and read by Susan Daves.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

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First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.