Devotionals

True Recognition

by Anne Adams
04/15/26
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When she had said this, she [Mary Magdalene] turned around, and beheld Jesus standing there, and did not know it was Jesus.  John 20:14 NASB

Years ago my church choir was invited to sing at a service at a denominational conference and since I worked at another church in our denomination I thought I might see friends from there.

When we arrived at the service at the large church we filed in to be seated in the upper rows of the choir loft, but as seats in the auditorium filled newcomers began to fill in the remaining choir loft seats. Then I recognized among them was Randy, a friend from the church where I worked. 

Catching his eye, I waved and smiled, but at first somehow he appeared to be puzzled. However, then he seemed to recognize me and after returning my smile and wave he took his seat.

But then I wondered - why his initial confusion? Then I realized it may have been because seeing me outside the office in a different setting perhaps proved initially puzzling - until he understood true recognition.  

Somehow it seemed like that when Mary Magdalene in our passage at first did not recognize the risen Christ upon encountering him in the Garden of Gethsemane. After all, she’d only returned to the tomb site to tend to the body after the Sabbath was over. Then, still in her grief she found the tomb empty and as she hesitated and pondered her next step, she turned to see a hazy figure nearby who called her name. Then as we know, there came the gradual realization and ultimately true recognition.

Occasionally the same thing occurs in my life when I initially fail to recognize the Lord’s nudge as he presents me with a new service challenge. Of course eventually I feel his presence but I also realize something else. For though I didn’t initially identify him, he certainly knew me!  

Then with that true recogntion I can reconnect and move forward to serve him.