Mary Magdalene: A Woman Known by Christ

by Cailyn Oesch

Mary Magdalene was the primary witness of Jesus Christ’s resurrection. What an honor that is to be the very first person Jesus chose to visit after He had suffered the crucifixion, defeated death, paid for our sin, and risen back to life. As we reflect on the position Mary Magdalene was given by the Lord, there is something beautiful about her and her story: she was recognized by Jesus. The Lord recognized Mary by her faith and her identity, and she acts as a role model for us as women.

Satisfied in Christ

Mary Magdalene was a woman of great faith. She was dedicated to the Lord even in suffering. Many followers fled when Jesus was crucified, including the disciples, but Mary was not ready to give up on her Savior. Mary Magdalene remained at the cross of Jesus (John 19:25). This continued in His death, even when He didn’t seem to have anything more to offer her. When she learned that Jesus was no longer in the tomb, she was determined to find Him and “take him away.” She may not have been physically strong enough to carry Jesus’ body, but the only thing that mattered to her was being in the presence of the Lord. Mary only wanted Jesus. I think this is something many of us strive for but find difficult to achieve. Mary was able to do this because she remembered what the Lord had done for her, and she didn’t expect more from Him. She understood what it meant to be satisfied by Christ. Let our faith be as recognizable to the Lord as Mary Magdalene's, and may our only desire be for the Lord.

Identity in Christ

There is something else Jesus recognized about Mary. Jesus saw that Mary had her identity in Him. Mary realizes who Jesus was when He called her by her name but in this moment Jesus reminds her of her identity in Him. One of the meanings of the name Mary is "beloved." It’s interesting to reflect upon this in light of John 15:9 which reads “as the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. Remain in my love.” Part of our identity in Christ is being loved. In her agony, Jesus reminded Mary of her identity as being His beloved through her name. Christ loves each and every one of us so much that he was willing to die for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). This is the truth that we get to live in and the identity we have undeservingly been given. It is easy to forget this, especially in difficult moments but even when we are at our lowest we are loved by the God who is love. Just as Mary was, let us be reminded of the identity we have been gifted as the Lord’s "beloved."

It is so good to have a God who recognizes who we are on such a personal level. We can look back on the legacy of Mary Magdalene and be reminded about the grace that we have been given by God, that even in our unworthy state God knows us all by name. May we be reminded that Jesus is the only one who will satisfy our needs and may we remember the identity we have been gifted.

Reflective Question

As you reflect on your own life, have you been able to acknowledge who you are to Jesus and notice just how beautiful your identity in him is?

Prayer

Lord, thank you for sacrificing your life so that I could be set free from sin. Help me be satisfied in you and remember that I am your beloved. In your holy name, amen.

Thank You

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