2002-12-01 - Mary Magdalene

Passages about Inspirational Women, Part 13

Mary Magdalene is mentioned only briefly in the Bible, but we can glean vital reminders from her story. Note her loyalty to Jesus. Can you imagine standing devotedly by someone whom the government executed as a "criminal?" Her love of the Lord is evident in the tears she shed after his death. And after the resurrection, Mary Magdalene was an eager evangelist, running off to share the Good News. I encourage you to join me in trying to follow her example.

John 19:23-25 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, one share for each soldier, and also the tunic (the long shirtlike undergarment). But the tunic was seamless, woven [in one piece] from the top throughout. So they said to one another, Let us not tear it, but let us cast lots to decide whose it shall be. This was to fulfill the Scripture, They parted My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots. So the soldiers did these things. But by the cross of Jesus stood His mother, His mother's sister, Mary the [wife] of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.

John 20:10-18 Then the disciples went back again to their homes (lodging places). But Mary remained standing outside the tomb sobbing. As she wept, she stooped down [and looked] into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they said to her, "Woman, why are you sobbing?" She told them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." On saying this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing [there], but she did not know (recognize) that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you crying [so]? For Whom are you looking? Supposing that it was the gardener, she replied, Sir, if you carried Him away from here, tell me where you have put Him and I will take Him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" Turning around she said to Him in Hebrew, "Rabboni!--which means Teacher or Master." Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to Me [do not hold Me], for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to My brethren and tell them, I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God." Away came Mary Magdalene, bringing the disciples news (word) that she had seen the Lord and that He had said these things to her.

Jan

 jan@cfdevotionals.org
http://www.cfdevotionals.org