Mary Magdalene- A Story of Freedom
Opener:
Good morning to all our viewers here this morning. Please know that we are praying for you!
This week, we are continuing to study different characters from the bible. As you may recall, last week we talked about an Old Testament character named Mephibosheth. We learned how Mephibosheth was dropped as a child and suffered a life-long physical disability. Mephibosheth story does not end there though; we learned how King David sought out Mephibosheth and blessed him. As a result, Mephibosheth sat at the kings table the remainder of his life.
This morning we are going to be talking about a New Testament Character. This characters life was forever changed by an encounter that she had with Jesus. While the bible is filled with stories of men being used in a tremendous way by God, women too have an integral part of the gospel being spread throughout all the world. In fact, I would venture to say that without women, well none of us would be here!!!
The bible is filled with famous women such as: Eve, Sarah, Miriam, Mary the mother of Jesus, and many more. This morning we are going to talk about another famous Women named Mary Magdalene. There are a lot of unproven facts available about Mary Magdalene. Frequently, people identify Mary as a prostitute, while others say she is the one who put expensive ointment on Jesus feet and wiped it with her hair. At times, Mary Magdalene has been often confused with Lazarus sister Mary.
While little is known about Mary, we are able to gather some important information about her. The bible shares with us in the book of Luke chapter 8 (NKJV) 8 Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, 2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, 3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.
I. Mary was delivered
A. Mary’s name
a. We talked a bit last week about the importance of a name. We discussed how the name of the town LoDebar meant “No pasture” or “Not having”.
b. Just like our character last week, Mary’s name gives us some insight into her background.
c. While the name Mary appears to hold different meanings the second part of Mary’s name gives us some insight.
d. The name Magdalene, is not a surname, it is actually where Mary was from.
e. There was a tiny fishing village called Magdala. This village was located on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee about five and half miles Southwest of Capernaum where Jesus ministered.
B. Town of Magdala
a. While the town of Magdala was small, they were famous because of their skill for processing fish and keeping them preserved. It is likely that they salted or smoked the fish.
b. Soon after Jesus time in 66AD, the city was decimated by the Roman army.
c. Josephus records that many of the Jewish people had fled by using their boats to get away. The Roman army pursued the people which resulted in thousands of Jewish men, women, and children losing their lives.
d. On a more positive note, today Magdala is a farming community and may be found in Migdal, Isreal.
C. Sin problem
a. Mary, like many of us had before coming to Jesus, had a sin problem. Mary was steep into her sin, so much so that she had been possessed by seven demons.
b. The number seven in an important number as it represents completeness.
c. In this case, we are told Mary had seven demons, which could be interpreted as she was totally possessed with demonic spirits.
d. Whether it was the actual number seven or complete possessed, the point being is that Mary had a real sin or spiritual problem on her hands.
D. Demonic oppression
a. Demon possession involves bondage of an evil spirit. One that indwells the afflicted individual.
b. The scripture teaches us that evil spirits would speak through their victims, and torment their victims.
c. People that are demon possessed suffer greatly at the hands of the evil spirit.
d. Satan used these seven demons no doubt to bring depression, anxiety, fear along with other ailments in Mary’s life
E. Lost
a. While in this lost state, Mary had no hope for a future.
b. There is no doubt that these demons made relationships hard for Mary to have and living a normal life in society would have been obsolete.
c. Mary had nothing to look forward to but a miserable existence in this life which would be followed by an eternity in hell.
d. She was hopeless until all that changed the day that she met Jesus.
F. A life changing encounter
a. Mary had a life changing encounter. She heard about this teacher that was sharing with people about God’s grace. A teacher that was teaching about God giving people a second chance.
b. Mary was moved and she went to where Jesus was and her life was changed forever.
c. Mary was delivered by Jesus from all the demons that were controlling her.
i. I love what the bible says in John 8:36(NKJV) 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
d. This life changing encounter would not only alter Mary’s life, but her story would be shared with billions and billions of people all around the globe.
G. Peace
a. Once Mary experienced God’s deliverance, she received His peace in her life.
b. This peace no doubt had eluded her up until this point in time.
c. The moment that we encounter God in our lives, is the moment that our lives begin to have meaning and purpose. In order to truly experience His peace, we need to place our faith and trust in Him and Him alone.
II. Mary’s Devotion
A. Devoted
a. Mary was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. What does it mean to be devoted?
b. Being devoted means to being exclusively focused.
c. When you are devoted to someone, you place their needs ahead of your own.
B. Mary supported Jesus
a. Since Mary experienced a new found faith, she made some drastic life changes.
b. These changes started not only in her heart and how she was living, but also in the area of her finances.
c. As we read in our text from Luke chapter 8, Mary along with others in the group were supporting Jesus ministry with their finances.
C. Overcoming faith
a. When we place our faith in Jesus, our lives are changed! If you received Jesus and you are not changed, then you have to wonder did you encounter Jesus?
b. As this heavenly transaction occurs, our faith is transferred from ourselves to the Lord.
c. Mary had an overcoming faith. Just like we have the opportunity to have. The bible tells us in 1 John 5:4(NKJV) 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
III. Mary was Faithful
A. Jesus death
a. After walking with Jesus in ministry, Mary no doubt experienced many ups and downs. Jesus dying was a challenging time. There was a lot of persecution of the believers. Yet, Mary remained faithful to the Lord.
b. The bible says in Mark chapter 16 (NKJV) 16 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
B. Mary loved Jesus
a. Not only was Mary faithful, she loved the Lord deeply in her life. She was there at the crucifixion, she was also there early in the morning at His tomb on the first Easter.
b. Mary was the first person to see the resurrected Jesus.
c. When you love Jesus, your life will not be the same. You will be committed to Him.
C. Mary was persistent
a. Not only was Mary committed to Jesus she was persistent in her faith.
b. While Mary was tempted, like many of us to give up when things become difficult. However, she did not give up, she persevered though those hard times.
c. Warren Wiersbe summarizes perseverance with the following quote: “Nothing paralyzes our lives like the attitude that things can never change. We need to remind ourselves that God can change things. Outlook determines outcome. If we see only the problems, we will be defeated; but if we see the possibilities in the problems, we can have victory.”
D. Sincere heart
a. Mary was not only persistent in her faith, she had a true sincerity about her.
b. Throughout my lifetime, I have encountered those that were very nice on the outside, however, it was evident to me, that they were being fake. Their niceness was not genuine.
c. Maybe you have encountered people like that as well?
d. Mary Magdalene had a true sincerity, not only towards the Lord, but also to her fellow believer. That sincerity showed in her honest dealings and forthright heart.
E. Staying close
a. Our last point here this morning, is that Mary had a close relationship with Jesus.
b. Because of this close relationship, there are those that have speculated that Mary Magdalene and Jesus were married. Others went even further to speculate that they had children together.
i. Biblically speaking, there is absolutely no evidence to these claims.
ii. This is a false teaching that is being presented to people.
c. The close relationship that Mary Magdalene had with Jesus was not one that was physically based but was one that was spiritually based. As it stands, we too have a close relationship with Jesus.
d. It is when we draw closer to Him that He draws closer to us.
Closing:
As we close our study on Mary Magdalene, we cannot help but notice that she had a unique place in Jesus ministry. She was there at the crucifixion, she was the first one there at the empty tomb and the first one to see Jesus resurrected. We can glean from Mary, how she was persistent, her love for Jesus and the saints, her enthusiasm. Mary teaches us not to give up on God too quickly. When we pray for God to help even if we do not see the results right away, we need to continue to believe God for the answers. Mary Magdalene learned this lesson, she persisted in her faith, she waited on the Lord and did not give up. Mary wanted to see Jesus even when it looked impossible. Like Mary, may our devotion to Jesus shine forth in everything that we do.
