Mary Magdalene Disciple of Christ

Today I would like to talk about six lessons we can learn from Mary Magdalene that I gained from Ann Swindell’s book, The Path to Peace.

Lesson Number One

Jesus can bring light into even our darkest situations.

Luke tells us Jesus freed Mary Magdalene from seven demons. We don’t know the specifics. We don’t know the details. All we know is before she encountered Christ, Mary’s life must have been unbearable.

Lesson Number Two

Once freed, our immediate response should be thankfulness and service.

In gratitude for being released from the demons that tortured her, Mary devoted her life in service to Jesus as one of his disciples. Again, Luke tells us Mary and other women supported Christ’s ministry out of their own means.

Lesson Number Three

Whenever we have to relinquish our dreams to Jesus and let go of what we want, there will be sorrow.

Pre-resurrecton, the death of Mary’s dream to follow Jesus all the days of her life died with him on the cross. Her hope was in the person of Jesus. Now what was she to do?

Lesson Number Four

Do the next thing.

Mary may not have known what her life would be like without Jesus, but she knew she had to do the next thing. She knew Christ deserved a proper burial. She was determined to see that happened.

Lesson Number Five

Serving Jesus, even in our pain, brings healing and peace.

As Mary and the other women set out early in the morning to prepare Jesus’ body, do you think they shared stories of their time with Jesus? Do you think in the sharing, their pain lifted a bit? Do you think they felt a peace in knowing that even in their pain, even in their sorrow, this one act of love and devotion would honor the one they loved?

Lesson Number Six

Everything wrong will be made right in Jesus.

To me, one of the most tender passages in all Scripture is the scene where Jesus meets Mary Magdalene outside the tomb that once held his sacrificed, lifeless body. It brings tears to my eyes every single time I read it.

Everything that seemed so wrong for Mary Magdalene at that moment in time, became right, the instant her Lord Jesus spoke her name and she recognized his voice.

Then the followers went back home. But Mary stood outside the tomb, crying. As she was crying, she bent down and looked inside the tomb. She saw two angels dressed in white, sitting where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and one at the feet.

They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

She answered, “They have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they have put him.” When Mary said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know it was Jesus.

Jesus asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Whom are you looking for?”

Thinking he was the gardener, she said to him, “Did you take him away, sir? Tell me where you put him, and I will get him.”

 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

Mary turned toward Jesus and said in the Hebrew language, “Rabboni.” (This means “Teacher.”) John 20:10-16 (NCV)

Your Turn

Just as he did with Mary Magdalene, Jesus brings light to our darkness. He is our hope. He is our peace. Our response should be one of gratitude and service.

When we let go of our plans and dreams, and embrace what Jesus has for us, there is peace in the midst of circumstances we didn’t choose.

Jesus knows our name just as surely as he knows Mary Magdalene’s. Even in our deepest darkness and greatest need, Jesus knows us. He sees us. He loves us.

If that doesn’t bring joy to our heart and tears to our eyes, I don’t know what does.

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Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases.

Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples. Luke 8:1-3 (NLT)

I wish you well.

Sandy

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Last June I reviewed The Path to Peace by Ann Swindell. In March I wrote about six lessons Ann mentions in her book that we can learn from Samuel’s mother Hannah. If you missed that post, you can find it here. Last week I wrote about six lessons we can learn from Jesus’ Mother Mary.

Photo courtesy of avi_acl / 146 images.