Called by Name: The Transformative Love of Jesus

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Calls Us by Name and Knows Us Personally

There is a deep comfort in knowing that Jesus calls each of us by name, just as He did with Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb. In our moments of confusion, pain, or loss, His voice breaks through the chaos, offering us hope, restoration, and a sense of belonging. No matter our past or reputation, Jesus’ personal call brings us into relationship with Him, reminding us that we are seen, known, and loved beyond measure. [54:52]

John 20:11-16 (ESV)
"But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 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.' Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 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.' Jesus said to her, 'Mary.' She turned and said to him in Aramaic, 'Rabboni!' (which means Teacher)."

Reflection: When was the last time you sensed Jesus calling you by name in a personal way? How might you quiet your heart today to listen for His voice?

Day 2: Jesus Restores and Redeems Completely

No matter how broken or bound we may feel, Jesus is able to restore us fully, just as He did for Mary Magdalene, who had been in complete bondage. His compassion and power bring freedom, dignity, and a new purpose to our lives, replacing shame and isolation with hope and belonging. When Jesus calls us, He not only sets us free but also gives us a new identity and a reason to live. [53:58]

Luke 8:2 (ESV)
"And also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out."

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you feel bound or ashamed? Ask Jesus to speak your name into that place and bring His restoring freedom today.

Day 3: The Good Shepherd Knows and Leads His Sheep

Jesus describes Himself as the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep by name and leads them, and His sheep recognize and follow His voice. In the midst of life’s chaos and confusion, His voice brings peace, direction, and assurance that we are never alone. Just as a child is calmed by the familiar voice of a loving parent, so too are we comforted and guided by the voice of our Savior. [01:04:38]

John 10:2-4 (ESV)
"But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to listen more closely for the Shepherd’s voice? What step can you take today to follow where He is leading?

Day 4: You Matter Deeply to Jesus

Jesus chose to reveal Himself first to Mary Magdalene—a woman with a troubled past and little social standing—demonstrating that every person matters to Him. No one is overlooked or insignificant in His eyes. He entrusts even the least likely with the greatest news: that He is alive and Lord. You are important to Jesus, and He desires to use you as a witness to His resurrection and love. [01:14:34]

Isaiah 43:1 (ESV)
"But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.'"

Reflection: Who in your life needs to know that they matter to Jesus? How can you encourage or reach out to them today as a witness to His love?

Day 5: God Invites Everyone to Participate in His Mission

God does not select only a few to be on His team; He invites everyone to join in His work and to use their unique gifts and abilities. Each person is called not just to belong, but to actively participate in building up the church and helping others come to know Jesus. You are not meant to sit on the sidelines—God has a place and a purpose for you in His mission. [31:02]

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (ESV)
"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."

Reflection: What is one gift or ability God has given you that you can use today to encourage someone or serve in your church or community?

Sermon Summary

The story of Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb reveals the deep, personal love Jesus has for each of us. Mary, a woman with a troubled past, was completely transformed when Jesus called her by name. Her devotion to Him was so profound that she remained at the cross and was the first to the tomb, not because she expected a miracle, but because her love for Jesus compelled her to be near Him, even in grief. She did not know it was Easter morning; she simply wanted to honor the One who had restored her life and dignity.

When Mary encountered the risen Christ, she did not recognize Him at first. It was only when He spoke her name that she realized who He was. This moment is a powerful reminder that Jesus knows each of us intimately. He calls us by name, not as a distant deity, but as a loving Shepherd who knows His sheep. Just as a newborn recognizes the voice of a loving parent, we are invited to listen for the voice of Jesus in our own chaos and confusion. His voice brings peace, assurance, and belonging.

Jesus’ first appearance after His resurrection was not to the powerful or the influential, but to Mary—a woman considered insignificant by society. This is the heart of the gospel: Jesus values each person, regardless of their past or their status. He chooses the overlooked and the broken to be witnesses of His resurrection and His love. Each of us is called by name, invited to participate in God’s story, and empowered to share the good news that Jesus is alive.

No matter what we have been through, or how insignificant we may feel, Jesus knows our name. He meets us in our pain, our confusion, and our longing. He restores us, gives us purpose, and invites us to be part of His redemptive work in the world. Our worth is not determined by our achievements or failures, but by the One who calls us His own.

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus calls us by name, offering personal restoration and belonging. Just as Mary Magdalene was set free from her past and given a new identity, we too are known and loved individually by Christ. His voice brings healing and hope, no matter how broken our story may be. [54:52]
2. True devotion to Christ is born out of gratitude for His transforming love. Mary’s willingness to endure shame and danger at the cross was a response to the profound change Jesus brought to her life. Our own acts of faithfulness flow from remembering how deeply we have been loved and redeemed. [55:44]
3. God’s mercy meets us in our confusion and grief. Mary’s encounter at the tomb was marked by sorrow and uncertainty, yet it became a holy moment where God’s presence was revealed. In our own seasons of loss or bewilderment, we can trust that Jesus is near, ready to speak our name and bring clarity. [53:58]
4. The voice of Jesus is recognizable to those who belong to Him. Like a child soothed by a parent’s familiar voice, we are invited to listen for Christ’s words in the midst of life’s noise. His assurance—“I love you, I am with you”—sustains us through trials and reminds us we are never alone. [67:16]
5. Jesus values the overlooked and entrusts them with His message. His first resurrection appearance was to Mary, a woman with a painful history and little social standing. This demonstrates that God’s kingdom is built not on status, but on grace, and that each of us is significant in His eyes and called to bear witness to His resurrection. [74:34]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:31] - Opening Words of Gratitude
[05:19] - Congregational Greeting and Fellowship
[08:19] - Worship: Trusting in Jesus
[15:04] - Community Prayer and Intercession
[18:47] - Praying for Healing and Revival
[31:02] - Children’s Lesson: God Wants You on His Team
[50:46] - The Importance of Being Known by Name
[52:38] - The Story of Mary Magdalene
[53:58] - Encounter at the Empty Tomb
[54:52] - Jesus Calls Us by Name
[63:58] - Isaiah 43:1 and the Good Shepherd
[64:38] - Recognizing the Voice of Jesus
[67:16] - Personal Story: The Comfort of a Familiar Voice
[74:34] - Jesus Appears to the Overlooked

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 20:1–18 (ESV) — > Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” ... (Read the full passage together.)

Isaiah 43:1 (ESV) — > But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”

John 10:2–4 (ESV) — > But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

Observation Questions

In John 20, what was Mary Magdalene’s emotional state when she arrived at the tomb, and what did she do when she found it empty? ([53:58])
According to the sermon, what was significant about the way Jesus called Mary by name? ([54:52])
What did Mary do when she realized it was Jesus speaking to her? ([54:52])
Who did Jesus choose to appear to first after His resurrection, and why is this detail important? ([01:14:34])

Interpretation Questions

Why might Mary Magdalene have been the first to see the risen Jesus, even though she was considered insignificant by society? What does this say about how Jesus values people? ([01:14:34])
The sermon mentions that Mary didn’t expect a miracle that morning—she just wanted to be near Jesus. What does this reveal about the nature of true devotion? ([54:52])
When Jesus called Mary by name, her grief turned to joy. What does this moment teach about how Jesus meets us in our pain and confusion? ([53:58])
The pastor compared the voice of Jesus to a parent’s voice soothing a newborn. What does it mean for believers to “know the voice” of Jesus, and how might that look in everyday life? ([01:07:16])

Application Questions

The sermon emphasized that Jesus calls each of us by name, offering personal restoration and belonging. Can you recall a time when you felt God speaking to you personally? What was that like, and how did it affect you? ([54:52])
Mary’s devotion led her to stay at the cross and return to the tomb, even in her grief. Is there an area in your life where you feel called to remain faithful, even when it’s hard or doesn’t make sense? What might it look like to stay close to Jesus in that situation? ([54:52])
The story shows that God’s mercy meets us in our confusion and grief. Are you currently experiencing a season of confusion, loss, or uncertainty? How can you invite Jesus to meet you there and listen for His voice? ([53:58])
The pastor shared a story about how a newborn recognizes a parent’s voice. What are some practical ways you can become more familiar with Jesus’ voice in your daily life? (For example: reading Scripture, prayer, worship, silence.) ([01:07:16])
Jesus chose to reveal Himself first to someone overlooked by society. Are there people in your life or community who are often overlooked or undervalued? How can you reflect Jesus’ love and value to them this week? ([01:14:34])
The sermon said our worth is not determined by our achievements or failures, but by the One who calls us His own. Are there areas where you struggle to believe this truth? What steps can you take to root your identity more deeply in Christ’s love? ([54:52])
Mary was empowered to share the good news after her encounter with Jesus. Who is someone you can share your story of Jesus’ love with this week? What might that conversation look like? ([01:14:34])

Sermon Clips

This is a work we cannot do on our own. In our own strength we are unable. But we believe that you are able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond what we could dare to ask or imagine according to the power that is at work within us. So, Father, we ask and we pray, do it again. This is not the first time in history, Lord, where people have needed Jesus, where your church has needed to be revived, where communities have needed to be changed. Lord, you have been faithful in the past, you are faithful now, you’ll be faithful in the future and we’re just asking for you to do it again. [00:29:03] (46 seconds) #DoItAgainLord

God doesn’t choose people for his team like what I experienced. He doesn’t look at people and then say you know what I sure hope they don’t get on my team and he doesn’t pre-select certain people to be on his team and other people just don’t have a chance. Isn’t that great? You see God wants everybody on his team and he made a way for everyone to be on his team by sending his son Jesus to be our Savior King and friend. [00:33:12] (41 seconds) #GodWelcomesEveryone

You see, God wants everybody on his team and he made a way for everyone to be on his team by sending his son Jesus to be our Savior King and friend. Did you know that he can be your Savior King and friend and he wants to be and I hope that makes you feel like you’re pretty special because actually you are. [00:33:35] (30 seconds) #EveryoneOnGodsTeam

I imagine it had been years since she had heard her name being said with such tenderness and compassion. You see, when Jesus spoke Mary’s name he not only cast out seven demons he restored her completely. You see, Jesus made her heart and her life whole again. Jesus gave her a completely new reason to live and he filled her life with hope. He restored to her her dignity, her sense of worth. You see, Jesus had called her by name and when Jesus calls you by your name, well loved ones, he sets you free completely. [00:55:40] (54 seconds) #JesusRestoresHope

You see, when Jesus spoke Mary’s name he not only cast out seven demons he restored her completely. You see, Jesus made her heart and her life whole again. Jesus gave her a completely new reason to live and he filled her life with hope. He restored to her her dignity, her sense of worth. [00:55:49] (30 seconds) #RestoredAndWhole

And after this Mary turns around and she sees a man standing there and I don’t know if it’s because the Sun was in her eyes or maybe there was a mixture of shadowing that she couldn’t see his face, perhaps it’s just because there are so many tears in her eyes but she couldn’t make out who was in front of her... and then the moment happens, the moment the stranger in the graveyard calls her by name and he says Mary. Oh, Mary would recognize that voice anywhere. I mean, this is the same one who had cast out her demons. This is the same one who had given her new life. This is Jesus. [01:01:45] (79 seconds) #RecognizeHisVoice

It’s almost like they recognized, hey, I’ve heard this voice before. And the truth is, my kids had heard my voice before. Because with each one of them, I would go up to Zandy’s tummy and say something to them. And sing something to them. And they had heard it. So, when they heard my voice again singing and telling them how much I loved them in the midst of their chaos, they knew that they were safe. They knew they were not alone. [01:06:43] (36 seconds) #SafeInHisVoice

So, loved ones, he calls his own sheep by name. And his sheep follow him. Because they know his voice. And this has come to mean so much to me throughout the years. Because there have been so many seasons of chaos and confusion and tribulations and trials. That the only thing that sustained me during the midst of them was that kind, tender, compassionate voice of Jesus saying, Jeremy, I love you. I’m with you. I’m here. I’m not alone. [01:07:19] (43 seconds) #FollowingHisCall

Jesus took time to speak to Mary Magdalene. You know He didn’t have to. I mean really He could have just walked right through the middle of Jerusalem and said I’m back. But He didn’t do that. No, Jesus’ first appearance was to a single socially insignificant woman who had a bad reputation in the minds of many people. But isn’t that just like Jesus? [01:14:25] (40 seconds) #JesusChoosesTheMarginalized

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