Do You See This Woman?ናሙና

Devotional:

The Woman Jesus Comforted

We’ve learned in this study that Jesus sees us, heals us, rescues us, delivers us, and enlightens us. Today, we’ll learn through the story of a woman named Mary Magdalene that He also comforts us and reveals Himself to us as Lord.

Let’s begin by learning about who Mary Magdalene was.

“Mary” was a popular name in Jewish culture. The Bible refers to this Mary as “Mary Magdalene” to associate her with Magdala, the prosperous fishing town she came from. She most likely had wealth and a position of prominence there, and she used her resources to support Jesus and His ministry. 

Before Mary encountered Christ, she was deeply afflicted by seven demonic forces. They would’ve tormented her mentally, physically, and emotionally—possibly even driving her to insanity. Jesus miraculously drove these demons out of her and helped her experience true freedom and healing. Mary then dedicated her life to following Jesus and leading others to Him.

Leading up to Jesus’s crucifixion, Mary was there for it all. She would’ve seen the mock trial announcing His death sentence. She would’ve heard the crowds chanting, “Crucify him!” She would’ve seen the crown of thorns pushed deep into His skull and the nails driven into His hands. 

Mary Magdalene is even mentioned being at the foot of Jesus’s cross with two other women named Mary: Jesus’s mother and aunt. The fact that she’s listed with them shows that she was in His inner circle.

When Mary went to visit Jesus’s tomb, her hope was shattered. She was grieving not only His horrific death, but also the loss of His presence in her life. Jesus had set her free and given her new life, and now He was gone. 

Like Mary, we’ve all experienced the pain of death. Maybe you’ve walked through the death of a loved one, the death of a dream, the death of hope, or the death of a marriage. 

I believe that Mary Magdalene’s faithfulness to Christ contributed to His decision to appear to her first after His resurrection. He called her by name and gave her the gift of seeing Him face to face. What an honor for Mary to be chosen to see Jesus before anyone else even knew He was alive!

I love that Jesus asked Mary, “Woman, why are you crying?” I picture Him holding her face in His hands and tenderly looking into her tear-filled eyes. Just as her presence had comforted Him, He in turn comforted her. He was about to tell her the best news and turn her tears of sorrow into tears of joy.

Jesus revealed a powerful new truth to Mary: He’s alive. Death in any form has no hold on Him. We don’t have to grieve without hope because He defeated death and sin forever. 

Mary then received the first assignment Jesus gave in the new covenant: to go and tell the others what she had seen. Like the Samaritan woman, her story brought others to Christ. 

I love what Mary said after this life-changing encounter: “I have seen the Lord!” Remember, we began this study with Jesus asking Simon the Pharisee, “Do you see this woman?” Now, Mary brings this question full circle by courageously proclaiming her faith in Christ. 

Like Mary, we shouldn’t keep our faith to ourselves. We’re called to go and share the good news of Christ so that others can come to know Him, too. There’s so much power in our personal testimonies.

Whoever you are and wherever you are, know this: Jesus wants to rescue you from your accusers, deliver you from bondage, heal your brokenness, enlighten you, comfort you with His presence, and ultimately reveal Himself to you as Lord. 

Jesus sees you—and He wants you to see Him, too. 

He wants to hear you proclaim, “I have seen the Lord!”

Reflect:

• Have you ever experienced God’s comfort in the midst of great pain?
• How can you use your personal story to share your faith with others?

Did you enjoy this Bible Plan? Dive deeper into these six stories and more in Laynie Travis’s book Do You See This Woman? Six Women Who Encountered Jesus Face-to-Face and its seven supplementary teaching videos.