Determined to Follow

Mary Magdalene is one of the most determined disciples and followers of Jesus Christ found anywhere in the Bible. This woman of faith is legendary, to say the least! She was all too familiar with the tormenting spirits of the enemy and the devastation realized in a life of sin. She was also changed by an encounter with Jesus.

According to Scripture, Mary Magdalene met Jesus Christ when He cast seven devils out of her (Luke 8:1-3 KJV). For “the seven devils” we should read seven demons. There is only one devil. I think we can all agree, one is more than enough, but there are legions of demons who influenced men and women and still do today! We can only speculate what her mind, words, and actions were like before her encounter with Jesus. 

The Bible applies meaning to numbers and one of the meanings for 7 is “completeness”. Is it possible that this passage revealed that Mary was “completely” possessed with 7 spirits that robbed her of true love, joy, and peace? 

We know that immediately after her total and complete freedom encounter, she became a devoted follower of Jesus, along with many other women. Mary proved to be more determined and faithful to Jesus than even His own 12 apostles at times. We know that the disciples scattered for a season before and after the crucifixion, but Mary is found weeping at the foot of the cross and in front of His tomb. She is famously known as the first person to see Jesus after His resurrection! What an honor to lavish on the woman who knew nothing but mental and emotional instability before she met Jesus the Messiah. 

If you study some of the early writings about Mary you will discover that many describe her as a woman of sin or even a former prostitute, but one thing is for sure, she finished her life better than she had begun it. She was determined to live her life both thankful and grateful to the one who had set her free!   

What about you? Are you living your life both thankful and grateful for all Jesus did for you? 

Take a few minutes to jot down a list of 5 things you are thankful and grateful for today.