Mothers of the BibleSample

Mary Magdalene: Proclaiming Hope and a New Life

Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her. —John 20:18, NIV

Our culture is obsessed with the perks of motherhood but also desires to maintain the lifestyle that was available to women before kids. We want our body back, we want our sleep back, we want our careers to go forward as planned.

Mary Magdalene was never referred to in Scripture as a mother, but we do know that Jesus transformed her life in an instant. I believe we have a lot to learn from Mary about our desires as we leave behind our maidenhood and walk boldly into motherhood.

When we first meet Mary, she is following Jesus after he freed her from the possession of seven demons. For the majority of Jesus’ ministry, Mary was by his side. She heard his parables. She watched and experienced his healing. She knew when he was sneaking away to pray and be in solitude with his father. So when she experienced his crucifixion, she was devastated.

After the Sabbath, she goes to his tomb to anoint his body with spices. Mary arrives to find his body gone. There, she is greeted by two angels who ask her why she is crying. And then Jesus himself appears to her in her grief asking the same question. It isn’t until Jesus calls Mary by her name that she recognizes him.

I see Mary as a woman who wholeheartedly embraced her role. She let go of her past and embraced her new life as a devoted apprentice to Jesus. Now, as Jesus stands right in front of her, he urges her to let go of the past once more in return for something greater. He asks her to let him go to the Father and tells her to go and proclaim the good news. Mary’s obedience and proclamation of this powerful message has repercussions for all of humanity.

How many of us are stuck longing for a past life, instead of enthralled in our new role of mother? And how many of us, if we just dug our feet in a little deeper, would find a deep joy and peace from Jesus right here. How many more women could we impact with Jesus’ good news if we embrace this role, devoted our motherhood to Jesus and shared the goodness that God has in store for women through the life altering gift of motherhood?

Challenge: Share a testimony of God’s goodness with a friend or family member.