Jesus then interposed, and He said to her, “Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?” The angels had only said, “Why weepest thou?” The Lord added to the question, “Whom seekest thou?” for He could answer in this respect the absorbing desire of Mary’s heart. The angels could not reveal the object of her quest, but there was the Lord Himself standing before Mary, and yet she knew Him not! Preoccupation with our own thoughts always blinds and retains us in unbelief, and so it was with the Magdalene. She supposing Him to be the gardener, said unto Him, “Sir, if thou have borne Him hence, tell me where thou hast laid Him, and I will take Him away.” It has often been remarked that Mary was so engrossed with her object that she did not think of the possibility of any one not knowing whom she sought. Blessed absorption! There was no one else in all the world for her heart, and there was consequently no need to say who He was. Observe, moreover, that there are no impossibilities to love. She was a weak woman, and yet she says, “and I will take Him away”! Would that we all knew more of this invincible affection which binds the soul to Jesus with unyielding ties, and makes it willing, yea, fills it with delight, to bear any burden which He may appoint.
What greater proof could the Lord have had of His servant’s devotedness? He knew her heart, but He delights in the expression of what had been begotten there through His love. He had waited therefore for Mary to tell out the uttermost of her love before He should reveal Himself and turn her sorrow into joy. That moment had now arrived, and with one word, the utterance of her name, He caused the light, the light of His own presence, to shine out of darkness in her sorrowing soul. He was the good Shepherd, and as the good Shepherd He had given His life for the sheep. Moreover, as the good Shepherd, He calleth His sheep by name and leadeth them out. It was thus that He called Mary by name: “Jesus saith unto her, Mary.” That one word, spoken as He only could have spoken it, went right home to her heart of hearts, scattered all the mists of unbelief which had gathered there, delivered her from all her own thoughts, and revealed Christ to her as risen from the dead. What a mighty change was thus wrought in her soul! The moment before she was filled with inconsolable grief, with a grief which could only be measured by the intensity of her love, and now instantaneously her tears are wiped away by the revelation of her Lord. That call which He had addressed to her produced an immediate response, for “she turned herself, and saith unto Him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.” It is ever thus when the divine call is recognized, because it carries with it the revelation of the Person who gives it, and its own divine authority. So when Jesus saw Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, and called them, they straightway left their nets and followed Him. For He who called, as with the Magdalene, threw the constraint of His love around them, and they could not but follow. Blessed moment when the call of Jesus reaches the heart!