"Christ is risen. He has called you by name!" Easter Dawn 2026

This Easter Dawn 2026 sermon from St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church delivers a powerful reflection on the resurrection of Jesus through the lens of Mary Magdalene’s encounter at the empty tomb. The preacher emphasizes that Christ’s resurrection is not merely a historical event but a personal, relational act of divine reconciliation. By calling Mary by name—'Mary'—Jesus breaks through her grief, despair, and isolation, transforming her from a weeping mourner into the first witness of the resurrection. The sermon unpacks the theological depth of baptismal identity: just as Christ called Mary by name, so too does He call each believer by name at baptism, claiming them as His own and uniting them to Christ’s death and resurrection. This personal calling extends beyond individual salvation; it reconciles believers to one another, transforming the Church into a community of forgiven sinners united in Christ. The sermon challenges listeners to move from isolation and guilt to fellowship and mission, urging them to proclaim the good news of reconciliation—just as Mary did—knowing that Christ’s call is not dependent on our faithfulness but precedes it.