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?

An Abomination

Hey Everyone! I read a proverb this morning and just thought it was awesome. It put a little fire in me. It's Proverbs 29:27 and it says, "An unjust man is abominable to the righteous, and he who is upright in the way is abominable to the wicked." AMEN! I want to be ABOMINABLE to the wicked! I want the enemy to be afraid and scramble. My God is SO powerful and mighty. He "gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist" (Romans 4:17).
We naturally use our reasoning to talk ourselves out of a life of faith. Why don't we take the truths of WHO GOD IS...think about it, He created the universe with His words...and use our reasoning to talk ourselves INTO a life of FAITH! It is illogical to doubt and not believe God. Really...that's why Hebrews 11:6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."
Lord help us today to have FAITH and use the brains you gave us to meditate on WHY we believe you. If we would love God with all our heart, soul, MIND, and strength (Mark 12:30)...we leave little room for a defeated day. Walk today in the "upright way" and be an abomination to the wicked. To God be the glory!

Spiritual Warfare Discussion

Click HERE to watch a discussion between Cheryl Brodersen and Sharon Ries on Spiritual Warfare. I was so well reminded and learned a lot about this topic during this discussion. I really encourage you to take the time to watch it!

http://www.hischannel.com/streambird/2000/2007tue/vodtv.php

Treasures from Psalm 119

Be refreshed with these sweet reminders...

Is the Word of God alive to you?
Pray Psalm 119:18 "Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Thy law."

Are you entangled in sin? Make God's Word your treasure...then your heart will be attached.
Matthew 6:21 "For where your is, there will your heart be also."
Psalm 119:11 "Thy word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against Thee."

Held in bondage by unguarded eyes?
Psalm 119:37 "Turn my eyes from looking at vanity, and revive me in Thy ways." If your focus is on the treasures of this world and what the world craves after regarding success, beauty and satisfaction...your character will be shallow because all of these things are here for a moment.

Affliction can be good
Psalm 119:67 "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Thy word."
God is faithful.

Remember your responsibility
Psalm 119:101 "I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Thy word."
Oh the pain we can avoid! Remember how weak we are and be wise in your daily decisions. See sin for what it is. Call it what it is.

Remain faithful
Psalm 119: 130 "The unfolding of Thy words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple."
Be faithful to be in God's Word and you will day by day, month by month, year by year and God will open you eyes to truth more and more. You may not understand a lot now but He will be faithful to give you understanding.

Broken is beautiful
Psalm 119:136 "My eyes shed streams of water, because they do not keep Thy law."

Don't want to stumble? Love God's Word.
Psalm 119:165 "Those who love Thy law have great peace, and nothing causes them to stumble."
It doesn't say those who read or know God's law, it says those who LOVE it. Set up your life around treasuring God's Word, then your heart will be attached...you will LOVE His Word. Love is most powerful. Guard your heart with God's Word and the enemy will be restricted in your life.

Number 2

Practically, how do you still "yield fruit" in a difficult season of life?
Number 2
2. Continue to engage in spiritual battle through prayer
Ephesians 6:12, 18 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places....With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,"
Do you forget about the spiritual realm? I do! Remember what's happening in the unseen realm and the reality of it. It is a reality! Ask God to make you more aware and more sensitive to the battle that is really going on. Prayer is your connection! By pressing on in the spiritual, your life will start to automatically yield fruit.

Psalm 18:39 "For Thou has girded me with strength for the battle; Thou has subdued under me those who rose up against me."
Let me say that we engage in this kind of strength and victory from the Lord through prayer!

2 Timothy 2:3-4 "Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier."
Are you entangled in the affairs of life? Is it the cause of a dry or difficult season in your life? You are a soldier of Christ Jesus. Rid yourself of the things that weigh you down! March on!!!!!!!!!!