Nashville, Tennessee, United States - The Upper Room Daily Devotional "The Power in a Name" for Thursday, 10 July 2014 - Read John 20:11-18

Nashville, Tennessee, United States - The Upper Room Daily Devotional "The Power in a Name" for Thursday, 10 July 2014 - Read John 20:11-13 But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. As she wept, she knelt to look into the tomb and saw two angels sitting there, dressed in white, one at the head, the other at the foot of where Jesus’ body had been laid. They said to her, “Woman, why do you weep?”
13-14 “They took my Master,” she said, “and I don’t know where they put him.” After she said this, she turned away and saw Jesus standing there. But she didn’t recognize him.
15 Jesus spoke to her, “Woman, why do you weep? Who are you looking for?”
She, thinking that he was the gardener, said, “Mister, if you took him, tell me where you put him so I can care for him.”
16 Jesus said, “Mary.”
Turning to face him, she said in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” meaning “Teacher!”
17 Jesus said, “Don’t cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I ascend to my Father and your Father, my God and your God.’”
18 Mary Magdalene went, telling the news to the disciples: “I saw the Master!” And she told them everything he said to her.
Now says the Lord, . . . Don’t fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine.(Isaiah 43:1 (CEB))
“My name is John Wesley Starnes, and I am a Methodist.” I will always remember the day I met Mr. Starnes as he entered the Veterans Retirement Home Chapel. Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, he faithfully attended worship services for a couple of years until he became too confused. I wondered, Does he even know who he is anymore? One day I saw Mr. Starnes in a hallway, and I greeted him, “Hey! Your name is John Wesley Starnes!” He rolled toward me in his wheelchair and with bright eyes and a big smile replied, “Thank you for remembering my name and who I am.” Jesus knows the power in a name. Upon hearing Jesus speak her name, Mary Magdalene immediately recognized him and went to tell the disciples of his resurrection. After being asked three times by his savior if he loved him, Simon Peter went on to build the church. (See John 21:15-19.) Lazarus’ sister was set free from stress and anxiety with a simple, “Martha, Martha.” I will always be thankful for Mr. Starnes who reminded me that Jesus knows our names, who we are, what we are going through, and that he will be with us all the way to the end. I want to hear Jesus calling my name so that I may follow his will.
The Author: Bill Duckworth (Mississippi, USA)
Thought for the Day: Jesus is calling my name.
Prayer: Ever-living God, give us ears to hear, hearts that discern, and courage to obey your voice. Amen.

Prayer focus: Families of those with dementia
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