Mary Magdalene

Mary Magdalene

Scripture References: Matthew 27:55-61; 28:1; Mark 15:40-47; 16:1-11; Luke 8:2; 23:55-56; 24:1-11; John 19:25; 20:1-18

Mary Magdalene is mentioned in all four of the Gospels.

ABOUT HER

Mary Magdalene was among the women who “followed Jesus” and is the first to be named when they are listed. “There were also many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him, among whom were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.” Matthew 27:55-56 ESV

Some scholars say she may have been the leader of the women because her name is always mentioned first.

There is no record of her parentage, marital status or age. She most likely did not have obligations at home as she was free to follow Jesus on His journeys.

Mary lived in Magdala, a small town on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Magdala means “tower” or “castle”

“[Magdala] in the time of Christ was a thriving, populous town on the coast of Galilee about three miles from Capernaum. Dye works and primitive textile factories added to the wealth of the community. It may be that ‘The Magdalene’ was connected with the industry of the town for it would seem as if she was not without means, enabling her to serve the Lord with her substance.” -Herbert Lockyer, All the Women of the Bible

She is the first one to see the risen Lord and was a leading character in the accounts of the Resurrection.

Mary Magdalene has been unfairly identified with the sinful woman who anointed the feet of Jesus in Luke’s gospel.

“The idea that this Mary was ‘the woman who was a sinner,’ or that she was unchaste, is altogether groundless.” -Easton’s Bible Dictionary

HER TESTIMONY

Read Luke 8:1-3

Demon possession was common in Jesus’ day.

Seven being a number of completion suggestions Mary Magdalene was severely and in a sense completely demon possessed. Imagine living her life of bondage, crying out for freedom.

Imagine never being able to have “alone time”.

Her testimony shows you can live in luxury and wealth and have a soul in dire need.

“Keep my soul, and deliver me; Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You.” Psalm 25:20 NKJV

Mary Magdalene was delivered, healed and liberated by Jesus.

HER SERVICE

Read Matthew 27:55-56

“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.” John 19:25 NKJV

Mary left Magdala and the luxuries in that city to follow and serve Jesus on His journeys. She followed Him all the way to the cross.

She served in the practical and physical needs as she traveled with Jesus and the disciples until even after Jesus was crucified.

Luke 23:55-56 ESV “The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments.”

HER TIME TO SHINE

Read Matthew 27:57-61

Here is where we see why Mary was so much a part of the action and a prominent women in this scene.

She was there.

Where are you?

Do you want to be a part of what God is doing? of hearing God’s voice? of being used by Him? Then you need to be there.

Read John 20:1-18

Mary Magdalene was the first to witness the empty tomb and the first to encounter the Risen Lord. Again, why was she able to witness these things? Because she was there.

When the disciples saw Jesus was not in the tomb they went back to their homes (verse 10). But not Mary. Mary stood weeping. Jesus was her home.

In verse 15 we see Mary not even consider her own weakness as a woman to carry the body of a man. She was a very determined and devoted follower.

“Why did Jesus say, ‘Touch me not,’ when, shortly after, He allowed the other women to hold His feet as they worshiped Him (Matt. 28:9)? Mary needed to learn that her love for her Master had to assume a deeper spiritual dimension, that He would be with her in a spiritual way always, even to the end of the world.” -Frances Vander Velde, Women of the Bible

Mary’s devotion to Jesus had to go from the physical to the spiritual.

Life Lesson

Mary Magdalene’s deliverance turned into devotion. Has yours?

Discussion Questions:

1. Other than demonic deliverance, what other things does Jesus deliver us from?

2. What are your “resurrection” stories to share with others?

Woman With Issue of Blood

The Woman with the “Issue”

Scripture References: Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34; Luke 8:43-48

Read Mark 5:25-34

HER CONDITION

(v. 25-26 )

This woman suffered from a discharge of blood for 12 years.

She suffered:

• Physically - from her disease this woman “suffered much under many physicians”
• Financially - she “had spent all that she had”
• Emotionally - “and was no better but rather grew worse” -time and time again her hopes were crushed.
• Socially - (Leviticus 15:19-33) Lev 15:25 ESV “...all the days of the discharge she shall continue in uncleanness. As in the days of her impurity, she shall be unclean.”

This world and our lives are filled with suffering. We will all endure different forms of suffering while on this earth.

There is suffering because of:

• Sin (in our life or another’s life) Galatians 6:8 ESV “For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”
• Persecution (suffering for doing good) 1 Peter 2:19-20 NKJV “For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully….But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.”
• Fallen World (we are promised tribulation) Matthew 5:45 NKJV “that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

HER DESPERATION

(v. 27-28)

v. 28 “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” -remember she was not allowed to touch anyone.

She was completely emptied of all other hopes and she experienced what the world’s resources could not do for her.

People believe that they can turn to the world to meet their needs. To so many, the world appears to be a vast source of information waiting to be discovered, adventures to be experienced and needs to be met. The Bible is filled with truth that informs us of what the world consists of, how to view it as God’s creation, what to avoid and what to expect.

It is important to always view the world with the knowledge that “sin entered the world” (Rom 5:12) so that the illusion of what it promises will not catch you by surprise.

Read Romans 8:18-25

Creation is in bondage to corruption.

Satan is called the “ruler of this world” (John 12:31), the “prince of the power of the air” (Eph 2:2) and “the god of this age” (2 Cor 4:4).

Read 1 John 2:15-17

Taking your fill of the world’s ways will leave you worse off than before.

People do things they thought they would never do out of desperation (including, turning to Jesus!)

“Remember, we don’t always have to wait until we’re desperate. We can wise up enough to know how desperate we’re going to be if we don’t cry out immediately.” -Beth Moore, Get Out of that Pit

She “heard”

Romans 10:17 NKJV “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

HER HEALING

(v. 29)

Her healing came.

------Taken from Beth Moore, Daniel Study Workbook--------------------------------------------------

Read Daniel 3:13-18

Consider three different scenarios when people of God face a fiery trial:

Scenario A: We can be delivered from the fire.

Dividend? Our faith is built.

Scenario B: We can be delivered through the fire.

Dividend? Our faith is refined.

Scenario C: We can be delivered by the fire into His arms.

Dividend? Our faith is perfected.

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John 11:4 NKJV “When Jesus heard that, He said, ‘This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.’”

1 Peter 1:6-7 NKJV “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

v. 29 “and she felt in her body that she was healed”

Can you feel God doing a work in you? Isn’t it so often you feel God doing a work in you when He allows suffering and trials to refine you?

I have personally felt the most healed through times of prayer in God’s presence.

Psalm 16:11 ESV “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Prayer puts things in order personally and corporately.

Personally: Philippians 4:5-7 “Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Corporately:1 Timothy 2:1-2 ESV “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”

God uses prayer to put things in order and proper perspective. It is from a daily lifestyle of prayer that we can move forward in connection with God to experience His healing touch.

“Extended times of prayer are not meant to change God’s mind but to align our thinking with His. Jesus never set His agenda and then asked God to bless it. He only did what the Father told Him to do (John 5:19).” -Sharon Jaynes, A Sudden Glory

“If a person suffers for a while from a complaint and seeks no medical advice, but in the end goes to the doctor, he invariable says, ‘You should have come to me sooner.’ But it is the glory of Christ that He can heal those who come late to Him.” -Herbert Lockyer, All the Women of the Bible

HER HEALER

(v.30-34)

Luke 8:47 NIV “Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed.”

It’s all about the Healer.

“God will forever be more interested in you knowing your Healer than experiencing His healing, and knowing your Deliverer than knowing your deliverance.” -Beth Moore, Get Out of that Pit

***A good thing to remember when others are suffering: “We always feel more romantic about suffering when we’re not doing it.” -Beth Moore

We are to “rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep” (Rom 12:15)

Life Lesson

We are to live our lives to know God and to make Him known.

Philippians 1:12 ESV “I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel”

Discussion Questions:

1. What suffering have you seen in your own life that has served for the furtherance of the gospel?

2. What suffering have you seen in someone else’s life that has served for the furtherance of the gospel?