Master
April 16, 2017
As darkness faded into dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came, bereft, to the tomb, sensing that she would never again call any man, "Teacher," or "Master."
Those days had passed with all of their possibilities, hopes, and assurances that life made sense because her teacher had made sense to her ...
... to her heart.
“Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.” - John 13:13
“… The Master is come, and calleth for thee.” - John 11:28
“If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.” - John 13:14
“Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.” - John 20:16
As the sun broke through the veil of night, Jesus, the Light, suddenly stood before her, unrecognized and ordinary like a gardener.
It was in speaking that it all came back together. It was in speaking simple questions and calling her name. Hope arose again. He had risen from the dead.
He is our Master Teacher, who so identifies Himself. But He is also the Master who calls us by name and washes our feet as a lesson to us that the true master is he who serves. He is our Master and Lord and example. If any could demand mindless obedience, it is He.
From the beginning of His ministry as He began to call out disciples, He was recognized as the Master-Teacher of life. When He came to Bethany for Lazarus and called for His sisters, it was as the Master. When He gathered with His friends in the upper room (for He had come to call them friends), it was the Master who bent down to perform the role of a slave. Then, at the garden tomb, the one who had endured the indignity and pain of the cross called for Mary. And she recognized Him as Master.
It is not our knowledge of Him or recognition of His position that makes Him the Master, but His knowledge of us and His call in our lives. The Risen Christ stands before you. He is calling your name. Can you see Him? Can you hear Him? What shall you call Him?
Acknowledge Him today as the only rightful Master of your life.