He Knows My Name
by Tracy Bankuti
When Jesus rose from the dead He revealed Himself, interestingly, out of all His disciples, to Mary Magdalene, one of His followers who had been delivered of seven demons (Luke 8:2).
Many have probably wondered over the years, “Why her?”
God does not choose His followers based on past sin or present-day performances. He is looking at the heart. Mary was God’s chosen vessel, set apart to carry the revelation and good news of Jesus’ resurrection—ten thousand demons could never change that!
John 20:1-18 invites us to take a front row seat. Jesus is right there, patiently waiting for the precise moment in time that He has chosen to reveal Himself to His friend Mary. At first, she does not recognise who is speaking to her. Grief has blind her, as it often can.
`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). `
Her eyes are opened, it’s Him, He’s alive, risen from the dead! How tightly she must have clung to Him.
`“Do not hold on to me Mary, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father to my God and your God.’”
This is why the gospel is the best news! When Jesus calls you by name, He is opening the way for you to personally know His Father and His God eternally. `“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”`(John 14:6).
Jesus is the only way to the perfect Father and no matter your age or how great or how lacking your earthly father is or was, you still need a perfect Father. He is the only One who is the Source of all life and love, joy and peace, kindness, mercy, and so much more. The word, ‘father’ means, source!
I vividly remember the moment when Jesus called me by name, opened my eyes, and God became my Father. I was forty-three years old, lost, sick, headed for divorce, filled with fear and anxiety, surviving, not living. He restored my life, marriage, and health, called my children by name, changed the eternal destiny of my parents, aunt, sister-in-law, niece, father-in-law and brother-in-law, and I can say with all confidence, that my Father is the greatest Father in the entire universe and beyond!
And He wants to be your Father too.
Tracy Bankuti has been part of the team at Ellel Canada East since December 2009 after coming on a healing retreat and taking the training courses with her husband George. God has miraculously restored her marriage of 35 years, her family and health and she now serves on full time team along-side her husband and daughter Allicia. She is passionate about restoration for families, enjoys teaching, ministering, playing her guitar and hiking in the forest.
Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship. Provided full acknowledgement is made to Seeds of the Kingdom as the source, you are also welcome to use it in a non-commercial way and reproduce it in magazines or other Christian websites. The copyright for any commercial use of the material remains with Ellel Ministries International.
