Dock Resource Kit
Sunday sermon, 27 April 2025
This week Brigid spoke to us about Mary Magdalene’s encounter with the risen Jesus in John 20. In the midst of grief, confusion, and loss, Mary hears Jesus call her by name – and everything changes. Brigid reminded us that resurrection is not just a historical event, but a deeply personal encounter. Jesus meets us where we are, not with explanations but with relationship, calling each of us by name and welcoming us into his family. And like Mary, we are not only comforted – we are commissioned to go and say, “I have seen the Lord.”
Dock Discussion Questions
Mary doesn’t recognise Jesus until he says her name. Have you ever had a moment when God felt especially personal to you? What was that like?
What do you think it means that Jesus begins with relationship before explanation? How might that shape how we relate to God – and to others?
Brigid said the resurrection changes not just Jesus’ situation, but ours too. What difference does it make to you that Jesus now calls us “family”?
Mary’s story reminds us that we are sent to share what we’ve seen. What does “I have seen the Lord” look like in your life this week?
Long-form, editted transcript
He Calls Her by Name: Encountering the Risen Christ
John 20:11–18
Introduction
Good morning everyone. If we haven’t met, my name is Brigid. I’m part of the team here.
This morning, and over the next few weeks, we’re going to look at the resurrection appearances – the accounts of people meeting Jesus after he has risen. These accounts are profound and transformative.
And this morning, we are going right back to Easter morning.
John 20:11–18
Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been – one at the head and the other at the foot.
They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”
“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”
At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realise that it was Jesus.
He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”
Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).
Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.
A Woman in Grief
Mary has gone to the tomb early on Easter morning to anoint Jesus’ body with spices – a final act of love.
She is heartbroken. This is the one who healed her and transformed her life. Mary had a difficult past, but Jesus had turned it all on its head.
And now, his body is gone.
She is grieving. Exhausted. Confused. We find her weeping, overwhelmed by what the weekend has brought. The worst has happened. The world she thought she understood is crumbling. She can’t even carry out this last act of devotion. She’s lost hope.
And in the middle of that grief, she sees two angels in the tomb – but she doesn’t seem surprised. That’s how deep the sorrow is. She’s numb.
Then she turns around and sees someone standing there. But she doesn’t recognise him. She thinks he’s the gardener.
Throughout the resurrection accounts, this happens. People see Jesus – and don’t realise it’s him. Maybe his body looks different. We know it still bears the scars. But maybe the issue is not his appearance. Maybe it’s that they’re not expecting him.
A Name That Changes Everything
Jesus speaks to her. Asks her why she’s crying. And she still doesn’t realise who he is.
But then he says her name: “Mary.”
And everything changes.
She turns and says, “Rabboni” – teacher. She hasn’t recognised him by sight. She recognises him when he calls her by name.
This is deeply personal.
Cheered On by Name
Later today, thousands of runners will pass through the streets of London in the marathon. They’ll be tired. Lacking energy. Wondering if they can finish.
But just as they feel like giving up, someone will shout out their name from the sidelines – maybe a friend, or someone reading their bib.
And it doesn’t change how sore they are. But it gives them strength.
That name. That encouragement. It doesn’t remove the pain – but it helps them keep going.
That’s what Jesus does for Mary. He doesn’t just reveal he is alive – he calls her by name. It gives her strength. Purpose. Hope.
This is not about her understanding theology. It’s not about being persuaded intellectually. She isn’t convinced by argument. She’s transformed by encounter.
She hears her name – and recognises his voice.
The Heart of the Resurrection
This moment is the heart of the resurrection.
Jesus meets Mary in her grief. He doesn’t begin with explanation or proof. He doesn’t offer apologetics. He begins with relationship.
This is the heart of the good news:
Jesus knows us personally.
He meets us where we are – in our confusion, our sorrow, our longing.
In John 10, Jesus says he is the Good Shepherd.
He says the sheep hear his voice.
He calls them by name and leads them.
And that is exactly what we see happening here.
Mary hears her name – and knows the voice of the Shepherd.
Jesus then says:
“I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”
It might sound strange when he tells her not to cling to him. But he’s lifting her eyes to what comes next. He is commissioning her.
And notice what he says:
Not “Go to my disciples” –
But “Go to my brothers.”
Not “my Father” –
But “my Father and your Father.”
Something new is being born.
A new relationship.
A new identity.
A new family.
Resurrection Changes Everything
The resurrection doesn’t just change Jesus’ situation.
It changes ours.
We are not only saved.
We are adopted.
We are not just followers – we are now family.
Jesus’ Father becomes our Father.
His disciples become his brothers and sisters.
This changes everything.
In the Christian life, we are not spectators.
We’re not on the sidelines watching others run.
We’re invited to join the race ourselves.
And Mary is the first one invited.
She becomes the first witness of the resurrection.
The first preacher of the good news.
The first to say, “I have seen the Lord.”
This woman, with a painful past.
Whose testimony wouldn’t have counted in a court of law.
Is chosen by Jesus to carry the message that changes history.
What This Means for Us
So what does this mean for us?
Each of us is running a race. But our race isn’t a clear 26.2 miles. It isn’t neatly mapped out. It has hills and valleys, unexpected turns, moments of pain, and moments of joy.
But unlike the marathon, this race isn’t just about finishing.
It’s about who we run with.
We are invited to run with Jesus.
He is not only the prize at the finish line.
He is our companion every step of the way.
He is the source of our hope, our freedom, our peace.
And because of the resurrection, he is not far off.
He is not distant or detached.
He is close.
And he is still calling us by name.
He Knows Your Story
Jesus does not rush past us.
He doesn’t ignore our grief or our confusion.
Like Mary, he honours where we are.
He enters our lives with compassion.
He knows your name.
He knows your story.
He knows the parts of your past you’d rather forget.
And he says – shame has no power anymore.
His voice is personal.
His love is powerful and close.
And then – just as he does for Mary – he gives us a message.
He sends us.
We are not just forgiven.
We are welcomed into the family.
And then we are commissioned.
Go and Tell
We don’t keep it to ourselves. We go and tell. We live lives that say: “I have seen the Lord.”
No matter how you feel today – If you are feeling confused, if you are feeling distant from God, know this: Jesus is closer than you think.
And he is still calling you by name. So when you hear him – Turn to him. Receive his peace. And go into the world and say with confidence: “I have seen the Lord.”
Closing Prayer
Let’s pray together:
Jesus, thank you that you are alive. Thank you that you meet us where we are – In our grief, in our confusion, in our joy, in our longing. Thank you that you call us by name. Thank you that your love is personal and your peace is real.
Holy Spirit, come. Fill us again. Open our ears to hear your voice. Give us courage to respond. And send us out to say, not only with our words but with our lives:
“I have seen the Lord.”
Amen.