Jeremy L. Berg

I no longer go by that name.” These are the words out of Mary of Magdala’s mouth as she is stopped by Nicodemus in the street, recently healed from her demonic affliction in episode one. Her healing was set into motion when Jesus called her by her true name, and she threw off her false identity — “Lilith” — she had taken on over the years.

Lilith is the name of a she-demon of Jewish lore, and her bondage was in part due to coming to believe that she was the sum of her pain, brokenness, sin, shame and victimization. Her experience became her identity. And this can happen to any one of us.

You may not be “possessed” by a demon, foaming at the mouth, and thrown into violent mid-night convulsions. Your name may not be Lilith. But you may be working yourself silly, putting success above family, because you have the “demon” of workaholism and you’re continuously trying to outrun your chosen name Must-Not-Fail.

Or perhaps you are carefully curating your social media profile, posting happy family photos, taking selfies and doctoring photos, trying to prop up a certain public image because you are “possessed” by a spirit of Vanity and your first name is Must-Hide-Pain and your last name is My-Life-Is-Perfect. Except it’s not, and you’re terrified that everyone would abandon you if they saw the real you, the messy, broken, and unhappy you.

Perhaps you are afflicted by the ever-present spirit of anxiety, mind always racing, keeping you awake at night, and you long for deliverance but are settling for escapism instead. You’ve gradually taken on the name I-Will-Never-Be-At-Peace, and you are trying but failing to outrun your anxious thoughts.

Or your name might be any of the following:

Impress-Others-By-Hard-Work

I-Am-Who-I-Know

Sex Appeal

I-Am-How-Much-I-Know

Damaged Goods

Smartest-In-The-Room

Overweight

Helpful

People-Pleaser

Self-Sabotage

Past-Your-Prime

Never-Enough

Addict

In episode two of The Chosen, Mary steps into a new Story with blank pages, a clean slate, a fresh purpose, living into her new (or original) name and identity. “I no longer go by that name anymore,” she tells others.

Jesus has reminded her of who she really is, has always been, and shall always be: Beloved. And Christ wants to give us all that same gift. Will you receive it today? Will you spend some time pondering what false identity or name you’re tempted to take on? Then invite Christ by the Spirit to whisper into your soul your true name today.

Then stand up straight. Put your chin up. Give thanks to God and walk out into a bright new day. Step into a new story with new tasks, and always be ready to tell those old nagging thoughts and misinformed people around you, “I no longer go by that name.” (Note: Like Nicodemus, some misinformed people who will reinforce your false self will often be good, loving and well-meaning people.)

Furthermore, Mary’s newfound freedom and peace leads her to action. She moves from isolation into community. She moves from eating alone with her demons, to hosting a dinner party with newfound friends and neighbors. May you also move toward your own community of friends who will repeatedly remind you of your True Name and True Identity. You are the Beloved. Forever and always.

Finally, I love the little detail about Mary mistakenly leaving an empty chair at the table for “Elijah,” which is usually only a part of the annual Passover Meal. In Jewish thought, Elijah was expected to be forerunner of the Messiah when he comes. Christians see John the Baptist playing that Elijah role. But in this episode, that empty chair ends up be filled by the Christ himself when Jesus shows up for Mary’s meal and ragtag company. May we too always leave room in our days, in our physical space, in our hearts, and at our table for Jesus to show up!

Listen to this week’s podcast reflection by Pastor Mike Fox on this similar theme.