Two Marys - One Savior

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38; John 20:11-18

Theme: Two Mary’s - One Savior

This is a short Easter (Resurrection Day) message that ends with the sharing of the LORD’s Supper. It focuses on two women named Mary – the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene and how both are representatives of people today.

INTRO:

Grace and peace from God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

He has Risen! He Has Risen Indeed!

This morning, I want to talk to you about two women named Mary. While they shared the same name their stories began very differently. The first Mary we find living in the land of Nazareth as a young woman getting ready to get married while the other Mary we find confused and alone in the Garden mourning the loss of her rabbi Jesus from Nazareth.

The first Mary, whom we call the Virgin Mary, was the first person to touch Jesus in His Natural Birth. She had carried Jesus in her womb for 40 weeks. She had given everything she had to make sure that Jesus would come into the world healthy and whole.

That Mary, the Virgin Mary is amazing. She is an inspiring picture of purity, of righteousness and holiness. She is the model of what it means to be a person of virtue, honor and glory. She is the model of what it means to live a life of obedience. She is a wonderful representative of the person that the writer of Psalm 119 strived to be like:

“Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the LORD. Joyful are those who obey His laws and search for Him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in His paths. You have charged us to keep Your commandments carefully.

Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect Your decrees! Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with Your commands. As I learn Your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should! I will obey Your decrees. Please don’t give up on me!” (Psalm 119:1-8)

I believe those words do a pretty good job of describing the Virgin Mary. As we read her story we notice some key things about this Mary:

+She receives God’s messenger – she opens up her heart and mind to hear Gabriel’s words and she believes those words

+She receives God’s mission – the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY needs someone to bring His Son into the world and has chosen Mary to be that woman.

The Bible tells us that Mary obediently accepted God’s Assignment even though she didn’t know how all of this would take place and what it will then do to her life and her future. She would leave all those details up to the LORD. All she knew was that the LORD had asked to use her mind, her heart and her body as His vessel. All she knew was that she wanted to be the handmaiden of the LORD; obedient, ready and willing no matter the sacrifice or the cost.

Mary’s life is an exemplary life. It is one that points the way to Obedience, Worship, Consecration and Sanctification. Mary is the type of person that all of us looks up to and hopefully ascribe to be like in this life. She is the kind of person we love to have in our lives and in our churches.

The other Mary’s story is far different. At least it is at first. This Mary is the first person to see Jesus after His Resurrection. She is the first person to know what it means to touch Jesus after His Resurrection. That means that she is the first one to see and touch the Second Adam; the first fruit of what the Bible calls everlasting life.

Let those thoughts sink down in your heart and mind for a few moments.

This Mary’s back story is quite interesting. In many circles she was known as Mad Mary. She is Mary of Magdela – Mary Magdalene. The picture of her life was radically different than that of the Virgin Mary.

Mark 16:9 tells us in no uncertain terms that this Mary, this woman from the region of Magdela had been either under the power of demons or in league with demons. In fact, Mark tells us that Mary had at one time 7 different and distinct demons living inside her heart, soul and mind.

It is hard to imagine what exactly what all that means. What does it mean to have 7 demons flowing through you body? What does that do to a person? What does that person look like, speak like or act like?

Some traditions tell Mary’s story as the story of a fallen woman. Many believe that Mary had lived the life of a prostitute. This may very well have been true. Her home town region of Magdela had a very unsavory reputation. It was a hot bed of sexual immorality and perversion. It was seen as a Red Light District. But that fact in and of itself does not give us 100% proof that Mary was a fallen woman.