Mary Magdalene…
a lady clothed in
mystery.
Many books have been written about her.
Many tales have been told about her. Was she a prostitute? Was
she mad? Who was she?
Her name means “sea of bitterness”. The Bible gives a vivid
account of her life. She was from Magdala, a thriving community
near Capernaum, where textiles were dyed. She most likely was a
woman of some means. There is no mention of family, and every
indication is given that Mary was single. She is linked with
several other women whom Christ healed. Although a woman of high
standing in the community, she suffered from demon possession.
The Bible tells us that Mary had seven demons. She must have
suffered greatly from these tormentors. Christ drove the demons
from her mind and restored her by His mercy and grace.
Having been freed from bondage, Mary became a disciple of
Christ. She greatly aided Jesus as He ministered from place to
place. She did everything she could to provide personal comfort
and well being, ministering herself to the One who so mercifully
healed her.
Mary followed Christ throughout His ministry. She was there on
the sad journey to Jerusalem with the other holy women… with Him
when He was arrested… with Him during the mock trial, the
horrible beating and humiliation from the soldiers as they
gambled over his robe…watched His silence before Pilate…watched
at the Via Dolorosa, as He struggled under His cross, watched as
the nails were pounded through His flesh, heard the bloodthirsty
fanatics, spewing their vicious hatred at Christ as he hang on
the cross… even driven away by them. She could not force herself
to watch and yet could not look away from Him His face and body
so mutilated, His suffering indescribable.
She was there when the secret disciples, Joseph of Arimathea and
Nicodemus, took His body away. She and the “other Mary” (the
mother of Joses) followed them, and she stayed at the tomb where
He was buried until the men were finished. (Matthew 27:61, Mark
15:4, Luke 23:55)
Mary returned at daybreak, her devotion unwavering, to anoint
Christ’s body more properly than the hasty anointing and
wrapping done by the men. Perhaps she and the other women (the
other Mary and Salome) wanted to lovingly care for His lifeless
body as they had so lovingly served Him as He preached and
taught during His ministry. It was perhaps, their final
expression of love, to actually roll the enormous stone from the
door somehow and be with Him one last time.
When the women saw that the stone was already rolled away, they
panicked and ran to get help. Finding John and Peter on the way,
Mary told them about the empty tomb. They ran and found the
empty grave clothes and left immediately to find the others.
Mary came back alone still grieving about the disappearance of
Christ’s body, not contemplating the fact that He might have
risen from the dead. She stooped down and saw the angels inside
the tomb. The women according to the Scriptures received the
angel’s announcement, “Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek
Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as
he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly,
and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead: and,
behold he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye se him:
lo, I have told you”. The women received the angel’s words and
did their bidding, running quickly to tell the disciples.
Matthew 28:8
Apparently, Mary was still overcome with grief. She was unable
to move, unable to cope… unable in her overwhelming grief to
understand what was happening. Still at the tomb, she heard the
angel say, “Why are you weeping?’ (John 20:13) We recall her
remorseful statement, her tear filled eyes, and unconsolable
grief. Well we know of Christ’s tender compassion and question,
“Why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” and the joy that
came when He spoke her name! Mary, the first one to see the
risen Lord!
Her legacy is recorded in Mark 16:9; “When He rose early on the
first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene.”
Mary Magdalene, the empty bitterness of her life changed by
salvation through the blood of Christ. Her life was a ministry
of love and devotion, though seemingly shattered and lost,
momentarily turned to joy by the Risen Lord. She is an example
to us of unshakeable devotion, indomitable loyalty, faithful
service and deep love and worship to the One who has risen, as
He said.
Mary Magdalene, an example of bitterness turned to joy. Joyfully
serve Christ as Mary did. Make your life one of loyal faith,
courage and service to Him who died for you.
Ellen Foxx
***********************
Acknowledgements to:
All the Women of the Bible. Herbert Lockyear. Lamplighter Books,
nd
Twelve Extraordinary Women. John MacArthur. Nelson Publishers,
2005.
For further information, please write or call:
Southland Bible Institute
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(606) 928-5127
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