The Power of Recognizing Jesus in Your Life
The verse for today is from John 20:16 (NIV) Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).
In today’s verse, we see Mary Magdalene weeping outside the tomb, desperately searching for Jesus. Little did she know that Jesus was standing right in front of her. She didn't recognize him until he called her by name. It's a powerful reminder that sometimes we fail to recognize Jesus in our lives because we're too focused on our problems.
Just like Mary, we may find ourselves lost, scared, or overwhelmed by the challenges we face. We may be struggling to find our way and wondering if God has abandoned us. But the truth is, Jesus is always with us, calling us by name. He's there to comfort us, guide us, and strengthen us. We just need to open our hearts and minds to recognize him.
It's easy to get caught up in the distractions and difficulties of our daily lives, but we need to take a step back and look for Jesus. He's always there, waiting for us to recognize him. When we do, we'll find that his love and grace are always available to us.
As we navigate through life's ups and downs, we need to remember that Jesus is the answer to our problems. He's the one who can calm our fears, provide comfort in times of distress, and give us the strength to carry on. When we recognise Him, we'll find peace and hope that can only come from him.
So, how can we recognise Jesus in our lives? We can start by looking for him in our everyday experiences. We can find him in the beauty of nature, the kindness of others, and the love of our family and friends. We can also recognize him in the moments of stillness, where we can quiet our minds and listen for his voice.
When we recognize Jesus, we'll find that he's always present in our lives. He's the one who gives us purpose and meaning, and he's the one who can guide us through life's challenges. We just need to open our hearts and minds to see Him.
Let us pray:
Jesus, we thank you for always being with us, even when we don't recognize you. Help us to see you in our lives, to hear your voice calling us by name, and to follow you with all our hearts. We pray that you would give us the wisdom to recognize your presence in our lives, and the courage to follow you wherever you may lead us. Help us to trust in your love and grace, and to find peace and hope in your presence. Amen.
May you be filled with His strength, His peace, and His joy today and always.
In Christ,
Pastor Ras