The Woman From Magdala
Today’s Verse:
The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. ~John 20:1
In the old days, people sometimes were identified by the city of their birth. Mary Magdalene is one of these people. Her last name means she was born in Magdala. Her first name, Mary, was a common name among women. Mary represents someone who was very devoted to our Lord. We see Mary highlighted as being at the cross and the tomb of Jesus.
We see Mary and her liberation.
“And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils.” Before Mary became a believer of Christ, she was a woman who was under the control of Satan. We are told that she was possessed by seven demons. Can you imagine that she was a slave of Satan? Her life was miserable and polluted. However, great was the day when Jesus came her way and she repented of her sins and called on the Lord to save her! She is a testimony to the fact that there is nobody Jesus can’t set free and save. She was set free from this terrible dominion and experienced true freedom in Christ. There is liberty in Christ!
We see Mary and her loyalty.
Mary was at the cross the entire time of His crucifixion. While ten of the apostles fled and went into hiding, she and a few other women bravely stood at Jesus’ side. She demonstrated loyalty to Jesus in everything. She could not imagine living without living for Jesus. She was forever thankful for her salvation and no longer being a servant of the devil. As Jesus suffered on the cross, she probably thought about her sins and how His death on the cross was for her. She may have thought with remorse that it should have been her, and not Him, on the cross. Later, we see her as one of the women who came early in the morning to His tomb. If you are in need of an example of true loyalty, look to Mary and how she was there for our Lord.
We see Mary and her languishing.
“But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre.” Mary was so sad that the body of Jesus was not in the tomb. She thought that someone took His body. She may have had thoughts of the great indignation that someone would disrespectfully steal His body from the tomb. Have you ever thought what your life would be like without Jesus? Have you ever thought that you could get along without Jesus? Mary was at a place of despair and was horrified of how she could go forward after His death and burial.
We see Mary and her Lord.
“Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.” Mary was the first person to see Jesus after He arose from the dead. After she was saved, He was her Lord. She unashamedly told others that He was her Lord. Lordship means Christ has total control of your life. It means He has veto power of everything in your life. When she saw the resurrected Lord, she was renewed in her faith and courage. She knew that He was all that He said He was: He was Lord of Lords and King of Kings.
Mary Magdalene inspires us about a steadfast faith. Be thankful today that Jesus saved you. Be there for the Lord, and don’t be ashamed that He is your Saviour and Lord.
Have a committed God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Esther 1-5