One On One: 100 Days With Jesus--PASSIONSample

 Mary Magdalene & the One who conquered death   

She likely had thought of nothing else since Friday night. By Sunday morning when everyone went back to work, Mary Magdalene showed up at Jesus’s grave, just like she had at every significant event in His public ministry. 

The scene reminds us of why we should adore Mary Magdalene. Simply because she was there. Before the navy sky turned purple, then pink and orange. When it was still dark. When her grief had only just begun, she was there.

She had followed Jesus from way back when. Her name tells us she was from Magdala, a town around the lake Jesus called home. It was there Jesus rescued her from seven demons. No telling what kind of shape she was in when they terrorized her soul. When Jesus gave her back her life, she devoted herself to following Him from that day forward.

Everyone needs a witness to their life—someone who knows your history and your stories. Someone who sees both your pain and your progress. In a unique way, Mary and Jesus shared a friendship like that. Jesus stormed through demonic strongholds to rescue Mary and when everyone else ran, Mary stood with Him through the gore and shame of His crucifixion. She had guts and grit and grace. And that’s what brought her to His tomb that morning. She followed Him to the end. 

But it wasn’t the end. 

Early on that resurrection Sunday morning, when His feet had barely hit the ground again, Jesus stepped out of the shadows to say hi to Mary. The disciples, John and Peter, had come and gone and saw only Jesus’ empty grave clothes. Mary lingered behind. Jesus chose her to be the first eyewitness to His new life —and when she didn’t recognize Him, all He had to do was say her name . . . Mary.

Was it the tone of His voice that was so familiar? –the same voice that broke evil’s stranglehold on her life not so long ago? Rabboni! Teacher! It was her life’s most epic moment; a tender, true witness of Jesus’ commitment to relationships. 

 Take a quiet look around at your company of friends. Do you find a Mary? Are you a Mary?—quietly, lovingly, serving the Lord. Perhaps restored from a wrecked past? Committed to the end.

Mary teaches us a lesson in perseverance. Keep at it, all you Marys. The Lord is a witness to your life. He knows your stories. He sees your pain. He delights in your heart, in your love, in your devotion. He who set you free, calls you still to follow. Come discover more about this precious friend you will follow to the end.

Tomorrow: One on one with Jesus in Jerusalem