Mary Magdalene
Jesus said to her, “Mary!” (John 20:16)
Angels announced the birth of the Saviour, and they heralded His resurrection. In Luke 2:11-12, the angel of the Lord told the shepherds where the child Jesus was. In Luke 24, the two angels told the disciples where He was not, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!” (vv. 5-6). Throughout the world, we can find the graves of significant figures in history. They all have one thing in common – they are all dead. We don’t find Jesus Christ in a grave, but in Glory. Jesus is alive! And, although every week we remember the Lord’s death “till He comes”, we address our praise and worship to a risen, living and glorious Saviour.
Mary Magdalene was the first person to visit the opened tomb, and she was the last disciple to leave it. When she arrived, she was engulfed by grief, but Mary was full of joy when she left. She told Peter and John about the empty tomb, and they ran to find the cloths lying and the face cloth folded in a place by itself (John 20:3-7). I once read that some cabinetmakers have a tradition. They take the cloth used whilst working on a piece of furniture, neatly fold it, then lay it on the top of the furniture to show the piece is finished. The grave clothes witnessed Christ’s finished work of redemption, and John “saw and believed” (v. 8). He had not seen the Saviour, only the outward evidence of His resurrection. There was a significant difference between John’s readiness to believe and Thomas’ wilful unbelief: “I will not believe” (v. 25). Christ rejoices when we believe Him (v. 29).
Peter and John returned to their homes, but Mary could not leave the tomb (v. 11). Luke tells us that the Lord had cast seven demons out of Mary. She is always placed first amongst the group of women, outside of the Lord’s family, who accompanied Him in His ministry. Along with Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, she ministered to the Lord (Luke 8:2-3). She appears to have been a woman of substance, whose life Satan had destroyed, like that of Legion. But the Lord had saved her. She followed the Lord, and witnessed His death (Mark 15:40). Her love for Him would not allow her to leave the garden tomb until she found where He was. But as the glorious shepherd, Jesus found her. She was probably present when the Lord said in John 10, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (v. 27). And when Jesus calls her name, her sadness was instantly dispelled. In joyful response, she calls Jesus Rabboni – Teacher. A loving heart is a teachable heart. Mary learnt directly from the Lord, the Good and Great Shepherd, who had said, “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father” (John 10:17-18).
Jesus saved Mary from all the degradation of being under Satan’s power. She had responded in service from a heart governed by the love of Christ. Mary loved much, and saw the risen Lord first. The Lord gave Mary the responsibility of conveying that tremendous resurrection promise, “I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God” (v. 17). She obeyed, and told the disciples, “I have seen the Lord” and conveyed His words (v. 18). Mary leaves us with a simple pattern of life in the Lord, knowing Him, following Him, believing Him, obeying Him, serving Him, and worshipping Him. She also teaches us that our response to the Saviour’s love for us is the basis of our capacity to serve Him.
