The first witness

How do you move on after witnessing a terrible scene, as Mary Magdalene did from the crucifixion of Jesus? Fortunately, these days we give each other more and more space for grief and for mourning. Mary Magdalene was ahead of her time in that regard. She chose, as she always did, to bring her grief close to Jesus, even now that He was dead and put in the grave.

But then, the unthinkable had happened! To Mary Magdalene’s astonishment, the stone was rolled away, and the tomb was empty. Confused and devastated, Mary Magdalene did something none of us would probably do…she didn’t run away: she remained, weeping.

Then, through her tears, she saw a figure. At first, she didn’t recognize Him—her sorrow was too overwhelming. But when Jesus called her by name, everything changed. One word—her name—was enough to break through her pain and bring recognition.

Scholars through the ages have pointed out how significant and profound it is that Jesus chose to appear first to Mary Magdalene—a marginalized person in many ways, known for her troubled past and alienated by society, simply for being a woman. Yet, Jesus made her the first witness of His resurrection. In a time when women’s testimonies were often dismissed, Jesus gave Mary Magdalene the honor of carrying the most significant message of all time: “He is risen!”

Jesus demonstrated that His love and grace are not reserved for the socially accepted, the seemingly righteous, or a certain ‘inner circle.' He lifts up those who have been overlooked and gives them purpose. Mary Magdalene’s story is a powerful reminder that no one is too broken to be used by God. Compassion for the marginalized isn’t just about helping the oppressed; it’s about empowering them to carry the message of hope.

Maybe you’ve felt marginalized or unworthy, too, like Mary Magdalene once did. How does her story challenge you to see your own worth and purpose?