Women of the New TestamentSample

Mary Magdalene, the Apostle to the Apostles

Before she met Jesus, Mary Magdalene was tormented by seven demons––perhaps they came in the form of depression, anxiety, loneliness, or despair. Jesus heals her and sets her free from her suffering. From that moment on, Mary is completely transformed and does not want to leave Jesus’ side. She becomes His student, following Him from town to town. Defying cultural and religious norms, Jesus welcomes Mary and other women to learn alongside the men. The women even provide ongoing financial support for His ministry (Luke 8:1-3).

When Jesus is arrested, all the male disciples except John scatter. But Mary Magdalene and the other women who follow Jesus from Galilee faithfully remain with Jesus to the end, ministering to His needs (Matthew 27:55-56; Mark 15:40-41). As painful as it is, these women stay and bear witness to Jesus’ suffering on the cross. They hear His last words and watch His final breath (Mark 15:40-41). When Jesus’ body is taken down, the women follow to see where He is laid and prepare spices and ointment for His body (Mark 15:47; Luke 23:55-56).

After the Sabbath, early on Sunday morning, they go to the tomb only to discover that Jesus’ body is gone! This is grief upon grief for Mary, and she cannot stop crying. Peter and John come to investigate and leave. But she stays by the tomb because she cannot bring herself to leave the last known place where her Savior was. The depth of her grief reveals the depth of her love for Jesus. Mary looks inside the empty tomb again, and this time, something supernatural happens: angels greet her, and Jesus appears! Assuming He is the gardener, she asks if He has taken away Jesus’ body because she wants to go get Him. Then, with one word, everything changes. “Mary,” Jesus says. Immediately, she recognizes His voice, and her weeping turns to joy!

Jesus chose to appear in His risen body first to Mary—not Peter, John, or any of the other disciples! Moreover, He then commissions her to tell the good news of His resurrection to the male disciples. Jesus appointed her to be “an apostle to the apostles,” as the early church called her. Without hesitation, she goes to the disciples and shares: “I have seen the Lord!” (John 20:18).

Jesus is close to the brokenhearted, and He draws near to those who seek Him. He calls his sheep by name, and they listen to His voice (John 10:3). The prophet Isaiah wrote, “Before I was born the Lord called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name” (Isaiah 49:1). Perhaps you are in a place of uncertainty, how can you seek Jesus as you wait? Or perhaps you are grieving; how can you sit in the presence of Jesus as you grieve? Trust that He calls you by name and that He will turn your despair into hope and your weeping into joy.

Prayer: God, thank you that you are close to those who are hurting. Please help us to wait for you, even when we want to run away or distract ourselves with other things. Please help us to trust that you will answer our prayers and heal our broken hearts. You are the one who created us. You have called us by name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.