Easter & Mary Magdalene

It was early the Sunday morning of Jesus’ resurrection (John 20:1-18). That time of year, Jerusalem could be just over 20°C (about 70°F on the old scale) during the day. Early that morning it may have been about 10°C (50°F), so Mary probably wrapped herself up against the cool early air as she headed towards the garden tomb. At that hour on a Sunday morning the streets may have already seen a little activity as there were many guests in town for the 8 day Passover festival.

That Sunday was going to be the day of the wave sheaf offering, the only ritual hinting at Christ’s resurrection in the entire Old Testament festival tradition. Mary was still in shock and grieving the horrific death of Jesus. What she would soon discover sounds too good to be true, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

If we had to choose, we may not have chosen someone like Mary Magdalene to be a part of our church at all. She grew up in Magdala near Lake Galilee, that’s why she is often called Mary the Magdalene or just Mary Magdalene. Magdala was like many towns that were heavily taxed by the Romans. To survive the poverty caused by the heavy taxation, brothels were commonplace.

Mary’s name also suggests that she was single, but there is no Bible proof for the popular legend that she was a prostitute. She has been confused with the Mary who wiped Jesus’ feet and was from Bethany (John 11:1-3) not Magdala. Some have suggested that she may have suffered some kind abuse at the hands of Roman soldiers and that is why she became crazy. Insanity and demon possession may not always be the same thing.

The story tells us that she was possessed and tormented by seven demons. Oftentimes when we know someone in our community who is crazy, they have no friends. Perhaps Mary was like that too. Some people fear those with demons or mental illnesses. In Mary’s case, it was she who was living in fear every day and probably had a lot of sleepless nights as well. Perhaps she even thought of suicide at times to stop the torment and the pain. Rejected by family and friends, her only company may have been the demons which tormented her day and night.

Many of us are in some ways like Mary, imprisoned by the invisible bars of emotional pain, possessed by habits we can’t break, tormented by the memories of past sins.

Then one day, a wonderful voice broke into her dark and depressing nightmare. Mary heard the voice of Jesus call her. MARY! He told her he had driven the demons away. Nobody else had been able to help her. It seemed to her that for the first time in her life somebody really cared. Somebody actually loved her!

The dark cloud that had surrounded her life was gone. The pain in her body was gone. A new energy surged through her soul. It was a moment she would never forget.

From then on, perhaps morning became a special time for Mary. No longer did she awake after a nightmarish sleep to a dark reality. Now she greeted the sunshine with joy. Perhaps she wondered at first if the demons would return, but when Jesus heals someone they have life again.

She became a faithful follower of his teachings. While others also followed him, she was all the more motivated. He had given her new life and she wanted to serve him in gratitude.

Other women followed Jesus too. Mary developed special friendships with Joanna and Susanna. Like Mary, these women too had pledged to support Jesus in any way they could. He may not have had finances left over from the gifts of the Magi. Jesus was not a wealthy man. He had an itinerant ministry where he walked everywhere. Luke 8:1-3 indicates that these women gave Jesus financial support, so Mary must have had some financial means.

Mary of Magdala is mentioned more often than some of the apostles. She may have also taken care of some of the food, lodging and hospitality for the disciples in various towns. Jesus had met her deepest need and she was only too glad for Him to do the same for others. Jesus healed many men and women of physical and spiritual illnesses. Even the demons obeyed him. People were excited about Jesus and the kingdom that He preached.

Then Jesus entered Jerusalem and the excitement was enormous. People came out to see Him. Crowds cheered and waved tree branches. They shouted “HOSANNA!” and “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” The disciples also joined in the celebration, with singing, dancing and cheering. They anticipated Him freeing them from Roman oppression. Perhaps at Passover Jesus would announce Himself as their king. They were so excited.