Some folks thru the years have been perturbed that there were no women among the 12 disciples; though there were many women among Jesus’ followers. The thing that was very clear was how Jesus treated women. Although the Jewish culture wasn’t always kind to its women, Jesus treated them with dignity, as people of worth. Therefore, women were drawn to him because he saw them as equal, worthy of respect. Jesus related to women as he created them ... as equal reflectors of God’s image.
Mary’s life was a heartwarming example of thankful living. She had been miraculously freed by the Lord when he drove 7 demons from her. Because of that miraculous deliverance, Mary became an early follower of Jesus. She was energetic, impulsive, and caring. She followed him wherever he would go, tending to the needs of the group she had become a part of.
Mary Magdalene acted out her deep appreciation for what Jesus had done for her with everything she did. She and the disciple John were both present at Jesus crucifixion and it was Mary who, on Sunday morning, was on her way to anoint his body until she saw for herself that he was no longer in the tomb. An angel appeared on the top of the stone that sealed the cave and told her that Jesus had risen and was no longer there.
Mary’s faith wasn’t complicated. It may have been child-like, but it was also direct and genuine. She was far more willing to believe and obey than to understand everything. Because of her simple faith, Jesus chose to appear to her first after he had arisen. Thus, she would became the first to deliver to the disciples news of Christ’s resurrection.
Up next is a look at the disciple Thomas, often remembered as ‘Doubting Thomas’. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.
In His Name & for His Glory,
Richard Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
Resource: The Life Application Study Bible; p. 2343.
Mary’s story is told in Matthew 27-28; Mark 15-16; Luke 23-24; and John 19-20.
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