4 Lessons from the Life of Mary Magdalene

I’ve been writing blog posts about some of the women in Jesus’ life, especially those women that some would consider unworthy. First was the Samaritan woman or as she is often called, The Woman at the Well, an adulteress. Second was Rahab, the prostitute, who we know is in the genealogy of Jesus.

Some would be appalled that Jesus used these women to advance His Kingdom here on earth. But the point is that Jesus can and does use anyone. That includes you and me.

Today, I’m sharing four lessons from the life of Mary Magdalene.

LESSON 1

JESUS CAN COMPETELY TRANSFORM A LIFE

Until Mary appears in Luke 8:2, we don’t know anything about her. She appears on the scene with Jesus and the twelve as they brought the good news of God’s Kingdom to surrounding villages. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, Called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their means (Luke 8:2-3 ESV).

Imagine having seven demons dwelling within you. How could you function as a normal person? You simply couldn’t. But Jesus! If you’ve watched The Chosen (I know some who will watch and some who will not, a personal preference) you know how powerful that scene is. Brings tears to my eyes just thinking about how powerful it is.

Do you think  Mary Magdalene was ever the same after this? Of course not. As Paul would say, By no means! He has the power to change any of us who have a willing heart and spirit. He knew this about Mary and changed her life and her eternity forever.

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV says, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. And John 8:36 ESV says, So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

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LESSON 2

GRATITUDE LEADS TO DEVOTED SERVICE

Did you catch the end of Luke 8: 3 above? It said that those women provided for them out of their means. True, some women who followed Jesus were women of means, but I imagine most were not. Yet, they were so thankful for what our Lord had done for them that they showed their gratitude by giving what they could to help. Even it was only time to cook or wash their clothes. But others had the means to provide them with food. I would think that every single one of them prayed for Jesus and the twelve.

Romans 12:1 tells us: I appeal to you therefore, brothers (anyone who follows Christ), by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Mary Magdalene was among those who followed Jesus wherever He went, willing to do what she could to advance the Kingdom. We sang an anthem with these words slightly changed. The anthem ended with—which is your reasonable service. Serving others.

Then, there is Colossians 3:23 (ESV): Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. Mary knew Whom she was serving. Her Savior and her Lord.

LESSON 3

FAITHFULNESS MEANS STAYING WHEN OTHERS LEAVE

At the end of Jesus’ life, as He hangs on the cross, who do we find there, waiting until the last breath? Biblical accounts tell us that only John was present. The other who remained alive (Judas Iscariot was dead by now) fled in fear following Jesus’ arrest. John 19:25 (ESV) says, But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.

We would expect to see Mary, the mother of Jesus. And she would need support, so it isn’t unusual that her sister would be with her. But there is faithful Mary Magdalene. Named by John. Faithful, grateful, devoted servant of Christ. John, the author of the Gospel, and three women who stayed even if they were all scared. They shared Jesus’ last moments here on earth. They shared His agony and His suffering. To me, that is pure love, and undying faith.

LESSON 4

THOSE WHO SEEK JESUS WILL FIND HIM

Read the Gospel of John 20:1-18 to find the account of Mary Magdalene at the tomb of Christ.

She was the first recorded witness of the risen Christ. She went straight away to tell the disciples, I have seen the Lord (John 20:18 ESV).

Mary had only gone to the tomb early in order to complete traditional Jewish burial rituals by anointing His body with oil and spices. But, the tomb was empty. She say two angels sitting where the body of Jesus had been laid. They asked her why she was weeping and she told them because someone had taken His body away. Then she sees Jesus, but she doesn’t realize it is He. John 20:16 (ESV) “Mary” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 

 So Mary went and told the other disciples, I have seen the Lord. She was the first to proclaim to the world that Jesus is alive!! He has risen just as He said!!

Jeremiah tells us in chapter 29:13 (ESV) You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. And James 4:8 (ESV) says, Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.

 We’ve seen these women go from demon possessed, to adultery, to prostitution be changed by Jesus. He used all three of them to share the gospel with those around them.

Just as He used The Woman at the Well, Rahab, and Mary Magdalene, He can use you and me no matter what we may be or may have been. He simply says Follow Me, just as He said to his disciples. Will you heed His call on your life? When you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, you will be saved (Romans 10:9). He can change you just as He changed these women. Your life here on earth and your eternity will be changed forever. Won’t you call upon His name today? Know I’m praying for you.

Blessings, y’all!

Debbie

Beautiful! HE IS RISEN!