Matthew 28:5-6 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.”

Rejected by my family. Abandoned by my friends. An outcast, that’s what they called me. No one understood the loneliness. No one knew the pain deep in my soul. The physical pain was almost unbearable. But the emotional turmoil took me to the edge of insanity and back.

My bizarre behavior alienated me from my family. I was alone. No one would fight for me. No one was FOR me. Everyone shunned me. I could hear what they said, as they passed by on the opposite side of the road.

“Don’t go near her! She’s possessed by demons! She’s dangerous!”

They were afraid of me because of the seven demons that possessed my body. The animalistic noises and guttural sounds that came out of my mouth would drive even the most courageous person away.

The demons caused me to have a great disdain for anything religious or sacred. I often hissed at the Pharisees and Jewish religious leaders as they walked by. Acting under Satan, these demons afflicted my body with disease. Being unclean, they tempted me with unclean thoughts. I was filthy in every sense of the word. Because I was unable to care for myself, I wandered the streets, my hair a disgusting, dirty, matted tangle. Dirt covered by face and hands, and was caked under my nails.

I had no control over my own body. Some people tried to subdue me with chains and shackles. The unclean spirits completely ripped the chains off me! But I wasn’t free…

I was a slave in bondage to the demons. A prisoner.

I knew, deep in my soul, that I was not an outcast. I knew I belonged. But how? Where?

And then I saw Him. They said He was the Messiah, King of the Jews. He came to save His people. Could He save me? Was there anyone who could save me?

Someone brought me to Him. The demons had full control of me at that time. I was thrashing wildly, hissing, screaming. But He didn’t walk away. With great compassion and love, He spoke, and the demons left. (Luke 8:2)

My body shook violently as one by one the evil spirits went away. I was spent: physically unable to move; emotionally unwilling to believe there was hope for me.

He healed me! My life changed. No longer were there demons, darkness and evil. Now there was abundant joy and light! For the first time in my life, I had HOPE! I became a follower of this man Jesus. He was my Savior! I would gladly give my life in service to Him!

But He gave His life for me. The Jews, Pharisees and religious leaders had Him crucified. I was at the cross with His mother Mary and other women who had ministered to Him. I watched Him die. It felt like my heart had been ripped from my chest. I am the one who should be dying on that cross! This Man had saved me, and I could do nothing to help Him!

After a few days, I went to the tomb early one morning. I needed time alone to grieve. When I got there, the stones had been rolled away. The tomb was empty. (John 20:1)

I stood there, alone, weeping. I looked, but I didn’t see Jesus anywhere. My heart was broken. There was a hole in it, that only He could fill. I had finally found a place where I wasn’t rejected. I had finally found a family in His followers. They loved me in spite of my past. HE loved me in spite of my past. What would become of us all? (John 20:11-16)

Then I turned and saw a man standing there. I did not realize it was Him.

He asked me, “Woman, why do you weep? Who are you looking for?”

I thought He was the gardener, and begged Him to tell me where they had taken Jesus.

And then, He called my name, “Mary!”

And I realized…He wasn’t gone. He had been there all along.

Are you looking for Jesus this Christmas?

Isaiah 43:1 “But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!”

“Granny, what’s your name?”

Hmmm, an odd question from my then six year old granddaughter. I had just picked her up from the first day at Vacation Bible School. What an adventure!

“Brooke, you know my name, don’t you? Why are you asking?”

“My teacher asked who brought me. I told them Granny. And then she asked what my Granny’s name was, and I told her I didn’t know!”

“Ahhh, I see!  My name is Ellen Chauvin.”

I checked the rearview mirror and saw that she had twisted up her face. With a look of horror she said “You’re name is GRANNY Ellen Chauvin?!?”

“Yes, my full name is Ellen Chauvin. You call me Granny because I’m your grandmother.  Paw’s name is John Chauvin, and you call him Paw because he’s your grandfather.”

The next day, before dropping her off at Vacation Bible School, I quizzed her to make sure she remembered our names.

“Yes, you’re Ellen Chauvin and Paw is John Chauvin.” Great! She remembered!

That afternoon, she was excited to show me the crafts she had made and her scripture verse: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid.”

“Granny, it’s from the book of Josh, like my Daddy’s name!” She was thrilled!

I said “Yes, but it’s like your Daddy’s FULL name – it’s from JOSHUA 1:9.”

We continued reviewing the scripture on the way home, as well as our names. She remembered everything: the scripture is from the book of Joshua, like my daddy’s FULL name. Your full name is Ellen Chauvin, and Paw’s full name is John Chauvin.

At the end of the third day, Brooke came bounding out of her classroom, crafts and Bible scripture in tow. I saw that the scripture was 1 John 4:9 “This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.”  We talked about Jesus being God’s Son, and that God sent Jesus to die on the cross for us.

Next was my usual question: “Do you remember what book of the Bible the scripture is from?”

Silence from the back seat.

“You remember, it’s from the book of 1st J…..?”

More silence.

“Remember? The book of 1st Jo…1st Jo…”

And then a very small, tiny voice from the back:

“The book of 1st John….Chauvin?”

Hmmmm, perhaps I concentrated too much on our names, and not the Name above all names – Jesus. But she was remembering!

There are some names that you shouldn’t remember.  And if you do, they need to be replaced with the truth:

Unloved………..Loved (John 3:16)

Worthless……..His Masterpiece (Eph. 2:10)

Fearful…………Powerful (2 Tim. 1:7)

Weak…………..Strong (Eph. 6:10)

Scripture tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”

We no longer have to wear old names and cling to them because they are as comfortable as an old sweater. We are new in Christ Jesus!  Throw off the old clothes, and put on your new wardrobe!

What’s YOUR name?

Lord God, I thank You and praise You that I am created anew in Christ Jesus! I no longer have to wear old names and labels. In You, I am a princess – a child of the King! In You, I can walk in a manner worthy of the calling You have called me to! Thank You, Father God! In the name of Jesus, Name above all names! Amen