New Beginnings - Relating With Women of the Bible Part 3Prøve

MARY MAGDALENE—DELIVERED TO DELIVER The world has made Mary Magdalene into a fictional harlot in a play and Jesus’ wife in a book. How absurd! I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t want to be mistaken for someone else or allow my character to be fabricated. Just like Mary Magdalene, I want to stand out and be known as Jesus’ follower. Mary Magdalene was from Magdala, hence her name, which is mentioned fourteen times in the Gospels. She is recognizable among the other Mary’s—no confusion there! The many times her name is mentioned, she leads a list of women. She, among other women, financially supported and provided the needs of Jesus’ ministry. Jesus delivered her from seven demons that tortured her mind. But once set free, she exhibited unrelenting service and devotion to her Lord. She was present during Jesus’ ministry and throughout His suffering until death. While the other disciples fled for fear of their lives, Mary Magdalene stayed to watch Joseph of Arimathea take Jesus’ body from the cross and bury it in his private tomb. Then she and other women intended to anoint Jesus’ body with spices after Sabbath but were surprised to see the stone rolled away. Jesus’ disciples respected her, for when she told them about the empty tomb, Peter and John wasted no time to race to the gravesite. Yet again, while the disciples went back to their homes, Mary Magdalene stayed, weeping for the seemingly missing body of Jesus. But glory! The honor of being the first to see the risen Lord was given to this her. And Jesus sent her to His brethren to deliver a special message, and she declared, “I have seen the Lord!” She undeniably encountered the Lord in a new light. Though the world would make up stories about Mary Magdalene, she’s a true disciple—a student and follower of Jesus until the end. From the time she was delivered from demons, her life changed. She had become a deliverer of service and devotion to Jesus and His message to others. Once possessed by Satan, she lived out being redeemed by Christ. Mary Magdalene is a role model for all believers. As the redeemed of the Lord, we ought to love Jesus and go all out in supporting His ministry through the Church. And we are to deliver His message to others. How are you following Jesus today?