If you’re like me, it has happened to you. You see someone. You know you know them. They look just like someone you’ve met. After some thought, you walk up to them, stick out your hand, say “Hi,” and call them by name. The only problem is they turn and politely say, “Hi, but I’m not who you think I am!” Once the shock and embarrassment begin to wear off you stop and begin to realize how little they actually looked like the one you had in mind. Do not feel bad. It was just a case of mistaken identity. It happens to the best of us and often happens because of people that should be quite recognizable. Even the One who should have been the most recognizable figure throughout the history of the world was once the victim of mistaken identity.
It really was not uncommon, in some capacity, for people to not recognize the true identity of Jesus. Once, when He met His apostles in Caesarea Philippi, He asked them who the people thought He was. The thoughts of his identity were varied. They replied, “Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets” (Matthew 16:14). The wonder of His works, teachings, and very presence was so very different than anything with which they were familiar. All they could do was compare Him to some of these great identities of the past. The Jews, on a mass level, never truly accepted His genuine identity. Jesus came proclaiming Himself to be the Messiah for which they had long awaited. Even to this day, though, they did and do reject that fact. One of the less familiar cases of mistake identity, however, is one that is rather surprising.
John records that the Sunday following the crucifixion of Jesus that:
“Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, and seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away” (John 20:11-15).
How could Mary, who had spent such a considerable amount of time with the Lord not have recognized Him? She was aware of His promise to come out of the grave. She knew of the power He had already displayed over death and the grave (John 11). It was not a case of lacking faith. It likely was just a case of shock and awe. However, for Jesus to have been a victim of mistaken identity by one who otherwise knew Him so well invokes some surprise and even a little humor.
However, it was not to be so for long. All it took for Jesus was one word to open Mary’s eyes to the identity of this “strange man” in whose presence she now stood. In response to her pleas, Jesus simply said, “Mary;” and immediately she recognized who this was and respectfully and reverently replied “Master.” Is it not an amazing thing when the eyes of a wandering and discouraged soul are opened and they are filled with life once more? Three things stand out about Mary’s case of mistaken identity:
- Mary had gone looking for her Lord. It had been three days since she had last seen Him. Her life had been fuller when He was present. And even though she thought He was dead, she knew her life would again be made full by being able to serve Him in this capacity (preparing His body for interment). Many are unconcerned about the presence of Jesus in their lives, but the truly committed cannot go long without Him.
- Mary accepted the evidence. Yes, she originally mistook Him. But upon His revelation she immediately submitted herself. The evidence abounds just as much today as it ever has. Yet so many not only fail to, but refuse to accept the clear and present truth. How foolish would Mary have been to doubt the evidence Jesus provided? How foolish are we to do the same?
- Mary went and told others. The news was just too good to keep to herself. This was not information of little consequence. This was life altering news! This event had been 4,000 years in the making, and she was the first to have seen Him. Mary did not just go home and think about this to herself. She immediately ran to the other disciples and let them know what had happened. Jesus had come out of the grave! How could she keep it to herself? And yet many times don’t we?
Yes, it might have begun as a case of mistaken identity, but it ended as being the most glorious news the lips of man could ever utter. The true identity of Jesus is still mistaken in the minds and lives of so many, but one day it will be revealed and known to all (2 Timothy 4:1). Please do not let your soul be lost, but especially do not let it be lost because of a case of mistaken identity!