Mary Magdalene Series

Devotion, Discovery, Disappointment that turned into her Delight

1) Devotion (first part of verse 1)

Her devotion wasn’t just evident in the resurrection story this morning, but she was devoted to Jesus when He was ministering in Galilee.

Luke 8:1-3 Soon afterwards, He began going around from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him, 2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means.

Jesus had cast 7 demons out of her. In return she followed Him like a disciple, but not only did she just follow Him, her and other women supported Jesus’ ministry monetarily. They gave of their own substance to support the one that had healed them. Now the Bible never says whether she was married and had a wealthy husband or if she had inherited a large sum of money, but somehow she was able to support not only herself, but also give to the Lord’s ministry also. In her monetary support of His ministry we see her devotion to Him.

Her devotion didn’t stop there though. She didn’t just follow Jesus in Galilee; she went all the way to Jerusalem with Him, where she was there at His crucifixion and also His burial.

Mark 15:37-41 And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed His last. 38 And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, "Truly this man was the Son of God!" 40 There were also some women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the Less and Joses, and Salome. 41 When He was in Galilee, they used to follow Him and minister to Him; and there were many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.

Mark 15:46-47Joseph bought a linen cloth, took Him down, wrapped Him in the linen cloth and laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses were looking on to see where He was laid.

Her devotion didn’t stop at Jesus death and burial. As we see in our passage this morning, she was one of the first ones to the tomb on that resurrection morning. Her devotion continued even after the death of the Jesus. But when she and the other women arrived at the tomb that morning they made their----

2) Discovery (second part of verse 1)

When Mary and the other women were on the way to the tomb, we can only imagine what they were saying to each other or what they would’ve been thinking. I’m sure questions went through their heads about how they were going to get past the soldiers guarding the tomb. What could they do to convince them to let them pass? Would the soldiers help them open the tomb with this huge stone in front of it? What if these soldiers wouldn’t let them pass? Was this early morning trip to anoint the body of the man they had put their faith and trust in be all for naught?