She was blinded by grief. For so many years those around her recognized her as the woman whose actions were dictated by the seven demons who possessed her. But all that changed when she met Jesus. He alone truly saw her and had the power to set her free. Even though she watched as He was crucified, her loyalty never died. So she came to His burial site while it was still dark, but at the sight of the empty tomb her heart broke and she was blinded by her grief.
Through the blur of tears she saw the two angels when she stooped and looked into the tomb. They even spoke to her and asked why she was weeping. But everything in her world was being processed
through the lens of heartache and sorrow, so she responded to their question accordingly, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they have laid Him” (John 20:13). So great was her suffering that even when she encountered Jesus she didn’t recognize Him, but supposed Him to be a gardener.
Everything changed when He called her by name. “Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’” (John 20:16). When she finally recognized Him and turned to address Jesus, what did she call Him? What was the first title given to Jesus after the resurrection? It was “Rabboni,” which means “Teacher.” Rabboni is used only one other place in Scripture. It was used by Bartimaeus when Jesus gave him sight.
This is the last miracle that is recorded in the Gospel of Mark. Bartimaeus was a blind beggar, but when he heard that Jesus was passing by he began to beg for something other than money. He began to beg for mercy. Though his physical eyes were blind, his spiritual eyes recognized Jesus as “Son of David,” which was a messianic title. When Jesus asked what he wanted, he said, “Rabboni, let me recover my sight.” He had by faith cast aside his beggar’s cloak and run to Jesus.
Both Mary and Bartimaeus had received mercy. Both Mary and Bartimaeus had received sight. The word Rabboni not only means “Teacher,” it also means “Master.” I believe not only in a God who is mighty to save, but in One who knows my name. Jesus entered into our sufferings and answered our cry for mercy by giving us spiritual sight.
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