A life that points to Christ
Mary Magdalene
From Mary Magdalene we learn the loyal love of one who was rescued much and therefore loved much, devotion that stays at the cross and comes early to the tomb, and the joy of being personally known by the risen Jesus. Her life teaches grateful, faithful love, and it points to the Savior who calls us by name.
“Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.”John 20:16
“And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,”Luke 8:2
“Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the LORD, and that he had spoken these things unto her.”John 20:18
“But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,”John 20:11
Their story, honestly
Mary Magdalene had been freed by Jesus from seven demons, and she followed and supported Him faithfully. She stood near the cross when many had fled, watched where He was buried, and came to the tomb early on the first day of the week while it was still dark. Finding it empty, she wept, until the risen Jesus stood before her. She did not recognize Him through her tears until He spoke her name, Mary, and she turned and clung to Him. Jesus sent her to tell the others, making her the first witness of the resurrection, and she ran and announced, I have seen the Lord.
What their life teaches us
First, Mary teaches the love that flows from being greatly rescued; delivered from deep darkness, she gave Jesus wholehearted devotion. Those who know how much they have been forgiven tend to love much. Second, she teaches faithfulness in grief; she stayed near the cross and came to the tomb when others had scattered, her love undeterred by fear or sorrow. Third, her encounter teaches that faith is personal; the risen Christ met her not as a crowd but as a person, calling her by name. Her tears turned to joy the moment she heard His voice speak her own name.
How their life points to Christ
Mary came to a tomb expecting death and met the risen Lord of life, becoming the first to carry the news, He is risen. Her story is the gospel in miniature: a broken person rescued by Jesus, holding fast through the darkness, and finding Him alive. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who calls His own sheep by name, and He met her personally in her grief. The one delivered from seven demons was the first entrusted with the greatest news ever told, teaching us that Christ takes the rescued and makes them witnesses of His resurrection.
Questions people ask
Why did Jesus appear first to Mary Magdalene?
The Bible does not fully explain it, but it is deeply fitting that the risen Lord first revealed Himself to a devoted follower He had rescued, who stayed at the cross and came early to the tomb. He honored her faithful love by making her the first witness of the resurrection.
What does Mary Magdalene teach about being forgiven?
That those who know how much they have been rescued tend to love deeply. Freed from great darkness, she gave Jesus wholehearted devotion. Her life illustrates Jesus' own teaching that the one forgiven much loves much, encouraging us to let gratitude fuel our love for Him.