Mary Magdalene

IN LUKE 8, beginning in verse 1, we read where Jesus travelled the country side talking to people, and with him were several women.

LUKE 8:2-3 tells us about some of these women.

“2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.”

These women were not just ‘some women’ who followed Jesus. These women were accomplished women. Joanna, for instance, was the manager of the king’s household. She was an executive! And we find many Christian women in the New Testament who were business owners, land owners, etc. And as Jesus was dying upon the cross, we find that there were many women followers there.

MARK 15:40-41, talks about some of the women who were there.

“40 Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph, and Salome. 41 In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.”

I also find it odd that at Jesus’ crucifixion, there is only one male disciple mentioned – and he was John. It seems the other men may have been hiding in fear that they, too, might have been crucified.

The men and women who followed Jesus did so because they were called by God into a ministry that helped Christ. And today, we find that God is still calling both men and women into the same ministry. It has been said that we are all called to do the exact same thing; only in different ways.

That time in history was a very bad and dark time. In many ways, the rule of law was replaced by the rule of hate; the rule of compassion replaced with the rule of persecution. The crucifixion of our Lord shows just how bad a time it really was.

Those men and women who followed Jesus to Jerusalem in hopes of sharing the Passover Feast with Him. What started out to be a joyous occasion quickly turned very bad. We read where Jesus was arrested after the supper and was sentenced to die upon the cross. I cannot begin to imagine the grief, fear, and uncertainty these men and women felt.

Mary Magdalene had gone from being a very sinful woman who had multiple demons in her, to meeting Jesus, to being saved. From that point on, her devotion to God never failed or waivered. She helped Jesus as He spread the Good News. She was with Him as he helped and healed people. She was with Him when he was arrested. And now, she was with Him as he died upon the cross. Soon, she would be with Him as she helped anoint His body for burial.

Today, many Christians love Jesus, too, but I think very few of them would be as devoted to Him or as willing to follow Him in His earthly ministry, especially if it meant they would stand the chance of being severely persecuted themselves.

Normally, they would anoint the body immediately after death, but they had to wait until the Sabbath was over. And when they did go to the tomb, they expected Jesus to still be there. On their way to the tomb, the women wondered who would help them roll the heavy stone away from the opening. But when they got there, and to their great surprise, the stone was already moved! And they saw a man in white was sitting on it!