THE WOMAN THAT FELL IN LOVE WITH JESUS
David Smith
2/14/99 a.m. @ Trenton Church of God
Text: Luke 8:1-3
Not she with traders kiss her master stung,
Not she deny him with unfaithful tongue
She, when apostles fled, would dangers brave
Last at the cross, and first at the grave
I have heard a lot of preachers preach about great biblical characters (David, Moses, etc.).
Never Mary Magdalene
The reason = we identify her as a prostitute.
There is no proof, other than tradition. There is a lesson to be learned from this woman.
The body of Christ is always assuming and presuming about individuals.
Assume = To suppose as a fact, without basis or evidence.
When we are not assuming, we are presuming!
Presume = To accept as a fact until final proof to the contrary is given.
(Guilty until proven innocent).
Because we assume & presume, we cripple our ability to receive from one another.
This congregation will assume something from me, or not.
Some will be able to receive from me, or not.
You will be able to receive from me, only if you assume nothing about me.
Nobody wants to be like Mary Magdalene. Because, no one wants to be associated with a prostitute.
Again, we have no basis for this assumption.
Mary Magdalene . . .
· Mentioned 14 times in the bible
· 8 of 14 she is in a list, at the top
· 3 times the apostles are listed. Simon Peter is 1st
· 5 times she is mentioned in identification with the resurrection.
· 14 times she is mentioned.
· She is never mentioned in a dishonorable way.
If we don’t have any goods against her, why don’t we want to be like her?
We assume & presume.
The enemy has used this rumor against her, to keep us from receiving from her.
THE FACTS:
(1). She came from a town called Magdella.
(2). The Talmut mentions Mary in Magdella (Miriam with the braided lots).
(3). A theologian (lightfoot) took that info, and penned the reputation of a prostitute upon Mary Magdalene.
(4). Another historian (Jerome) took the “Magdella” part of her name = Watchtower, and says it shows the steadfastness of her faith.
(5). Another historian takes the “De” = greatness, and says it shows her greatness in ministering unto the Lord.
THESE ARE THE 5 COMMON VIEWS ABOUT MARY MAGDALENE
However, the overriding common view of MM, is that she is Miriam with the braided lots.
We have taken 1 passage in Luke, where a woman from the center comes to anoint Jesus’ body. This is a prostitute
1. Luke knows who she is. 2. Luke does not identify her.
We want to make this woman Mary Magdalene.
The Holy Spirit plainly mentions her 14 other times.
Why would the Holy Spirit conceal her identity here only?
We have made this woman a prostitute, and the devil has rejoiced.
People would rather believe the worst about you, than the best about you.
(Read text)
Verse 2 never mentions sex or prostitution.
In order to understand Mary Magdalene, you have to understand the nature of demons.
The #1 attack of Demons is your mind.
MM had 7 devils. She was under perfect control of Satan.
I believe she was mentally disturbed.
I. The #1 Sign of an attack of Satan = A LACK OF PEACE
Isaiah 26:3, “For thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee.”
When you take your mind off of Jesus, and focus on everything that’s wrong with the church, choir, pastor, you are under a satanic attack. (Critical spirit).
II. There will be a lack of trust
“He will keep thee in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee.”
I am not complaining about what I don’t have, I am rejoicing in him who I do have!
In Luke 8:2, She was delivered from 7 devils.
Nothing will make you cling to Jesus like a deliverance in your life.
It will make you fall in love with Jesus!
· If we are not careful we can no longer praise him for salvation only.
We get to a place where only our favorite group . . .
God wants us back to the place where if we have a house full or not . . .
We fall in love again with the savior who delivered us.
This lady was full of Holy Ghost joy!
She never forgot what Jesus done for her.
1) She began to minister unto him with her substance (possessions).
2) She followed him everywhere he went.
I BELIEVE SHE WAS A TYPE OF WHAT THE CHURCH OUTA BE!
SHE FELL IN LOVE WITH JESUS!!!!!
(Memory)
Mary Magdalene fell in love with Jesus
She followed him all the way to the cross, even farther.
When others walked away, she stayed at the cross.
They said, “Come on Mary, He’s dead.”
She said, “ I know He’s dead, but I still love him.”
There may be times it seems he takes on a dead form.
The heavens are brass, not healing many, not saving many.
It doesn’t matter to me, ‘cause 18 years ago, I fell in love with Him.
There’s no fowl of the air, beast of the field, member, ministry, or money going to interfere with this relationship.
DO YOU REALLY LOVE HIM?
WHEN THE CHOIR SINGS BAD? MORE THAN YOUR MINISTRY? DO YOU REALLY LOVE HIM?
Do you love him when you don’t feel him?
(Three ring circuses in churches & my reaction)
This thing is serious. It is God’s business!
My focus isn’t musicians, choir, elders, or members.
It’s on the one that loosed me and set me free!
Even when it seems that God isn’t doing anything, it doesn’t matter.
I remember a time when I wasn’t fit to kill, much less live, and he took me in.
I’M NOT SERVING HIM FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE, BUT FOR WHOM HE IS!
Mary, come on. He’s dead. It’s over.
I know He’s dead. It doesn’t matter. I love Him.
Well, Mary we’re leaving
Go on. I’m going to hang around here awhile
Why?
I remember when I was with him, that he said he would die. But he said that after 3 days he would live again. Go on if you want to. I’m gonna’ hang around here for the resurrection.
He may have taken on a dead form in your life, but hang on, Sunday’s coming.
He isn’t dead. He’s alive, and He lives forever more.
Joseph of Aramethea came to get him.
She said, “I can’t carry him. I don’t have the strength. I am going to do what I can, while I can.”
(She wrapped his body)
They carried him to the tomb and she followed them . . . guiding him.
The people began to laugh. She didn’t care.
(You can laugh. You weren’t there when he saved my soul . . .)
III. When she went to the tomb
She saw what she thought was the gardener.
She said, “If you have taken him, please tell me where he is laid.”
Jesus said one word, “Mary Raboni”
She didn’t have time to go to consecration.
She didn’t have time to say, “If you’re really Jesus . . .”
She didn’t need to go to consecration.
She didn’t need to see his nail scarred hands.
Why?
She knew His voice
She had a relationship with Him.
She had fellowship with Him.
He revealed himself to her first. Why? She was the closest one to him.
Where were Peter, James and John? Hiding.
Notice: When he arose, he gave Mary the message, “Go tell my disciples that I have risen”.
She walked into the disciples and said, “ I have seen my Lord, and he is risen!”
(The upper room)
Conclusion: It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been saved. 40, 30, 20, 10 years. One month week, day or hour. Jesus is saying, “Return to your first love.” He is saying, “I want you to fall in love with me again.”
