Women On The Day Of Resurrection Series

Theme: First Evangelist Mary

Text: John 20:01-19

Introduction:

The resurrection narratives in all four gospels record very precisely how things were moving from one stage to the other. All of them want to give credit to Mary Magdalene as the first person to meet the Resurrected Lord Jesus Christ. Mary Magdalene had great enthusiasm and love for Lord Jesus Christ.

She was healed from seven demons (Luke 8:3). She bathed Jesus with her tears and Alabaster perfume (Luke 7:36-37 & John 8:7). Later she became a strong disciple to sit at the feet of Jesus and to listen to the Word of God (Luke 10:38-42). Mary had faith in the Person and Power of Jesus (John 11:2,32). She continued in her sacrificial giving to Jesus. She brought costly perfume and washed feet of Jesus before death (John 12:1-3).

Mary Magdalene teaches three higher qualities of her life on the day of Resurrection.

1. Mary Magdalene was a daring follower of Christ

2. Mary Magdalene was a diligent follower of Christ

3. Mary Magdalene was a dedicated evangelist

20:1-9 Mary was a Daring Follower of Christ

On the first day of the week, i.e., on Easter morning, three women went to the graveyard. Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James (and Jesus), and Salome (Mark 16:1). Only a day has gone but everything seems to be bleak, gloomy and non-futuristic. Disciples were afraid of the Constitutional authorities, religious leaders(John 7:13, 9:22) and guards. While the whole company of disciples was living in fear. Fear factor became their lifestyle. Mary Magdalene took the bold and daring step to organise a team to visit the graveyard of Jesus.

We are more familiar with the word “Phobias”. Fear of anything and everything. Fear is a very common emotion in the human body, it leads to instability, unhappiness, sometimes even to death. Fear is an enemy of faith. Fear is one of the by-products of modern life no one could avoid. “It saps spiritual vitality and it can paralyze the soul”(Harold S Martin).

Whereas, when Jesus was alive, disciples stand was entirely different in society. They were happy to move around with Him. Nothing was threatening to them. They were not afraid of anybody – they never worried about either the Tyrant Roman rulers or the Jewish religious hypocritic leaders. As long as Jesus was alive disciples had extra-ordinary powers, they went two by two to preach the Kingdom of God and to cast out demons. Earlier they stood bold in many situations and occasions against the Jewish religious authorities.

But now, their master was treated very badly along with robbers, thieves and notorious criminals. Jesus was given a cruel capital punishment of Crucifixion with vicarious sufferings. The death of Jesus brought great fear and anxieties. They were not seen, they were within their homes they were lockdown, quarantined. It was very natural after the defeat of any leader. Jesus told his disciples not to fear the men who can only destroy their bodies and not their soul (Mathew 10:28 & Luke 12:4). Mathew 10:31 tells us: “Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows”.

Paul Johannes Tillich, a Lutheran Theologian, German-American, lived from 1886 to 1965. “He wrote about 3 types of worry. First is a worry about fate and death. Second is a worry about two feelings: feelings about two lacks A lack of inner satisfaction and a lack of meaning to life. The third is a worry about being guilty and deserving punishment”.

John Bunyan in his Pilgrim Progress, records a very interesting incident, at one point he met with two Roaring Lions blocking his way to the heavenly city. He was more fearful to take a further step but with courage he moved on, when he reached very near to the Lions, he found that the Lions were chained by God. How often, we are afraid of the chained defeated, powerless issues over us. God has confined and curbed them already.

Bible helps us to gain confidence during the fear and dreadful situations. When I am afraid I will put my trust in you (Psalm 56:3). Psalm 34:4 “I sought the Lord,... he delivered me from all my fears”. Psalm 23:4 “ Even though I walk through the valley of death, I fear no evil”. Psalm 46:1-3 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear though the earth gives way. Still, the mountains are moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.” Psalm 91:4-5 “He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings, you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day.”