April 17, Mary Magdalene: Freedom in Christ

 Theme: Embracing deliverance and restoration through Jesus

Evelyn Linton 
Kings SDA Church

I once read a book called “Bad Girls of the Bible” by Liz Curtis Higgs. I was drawn by the title and comforted by the reminder of how many real, raw stories of reformation and restoration are included in the Bible for our instruction. I am so happy that Jesus came, not for the righteous (who are non-existent according to Romans 3:10), but to call sinners to repentance. This includes all of us. It doesn’t take much reflection for us to identify some of the bad decisions we have made and to see the evidence of God’s grace and redirection. Mary Magdalene’s experience, however, was not confined to a few bad decisions. Her reality before meeting Jesus was that she had SEVEN demons (Luke 8:2). This implies that she had little control over her choices and that she was trapped in a whirlpool of sin.

Can you imagine what it must have felt like for her to meet Jesus? While we do not have much inside information about that moment of transformation and freedom, it is clear that her life, impact, actions and identity after meeting Christ far surpassed her notoriety before meeting him. What a God! In Him, we too can be freed from the heavy chains of the enemy. In Christ we can experience ALL things being made new (2 Corinthians 5:17). We have an opportunity for a fresh start if we ask Christ to be our Lord and Saviour.

 

Whom the Son sets free is free Indeed

Did you notice that Mary Magdalene’s sins are not listed in gory details, but several details are shared about her life after Christ? We can make several inferences about what she may have been involved in before Christ and what her reputation was like. So many strikes were against her in her setting:

-        She had seven demons…SEVEN

-        She was female (with no mention of a husband)

 

We do not know how her demon possession was displayed, but from evidence in the Bible, we see that this condition resulted in public embarrassment. Whatever the symptoms, the problem was a public one that tried to define her. But Jesus did not focus on the lies of the enemy and the labels the devil wanted to put on God’s daughter. He gave her the identity and definition she was created for. Have you been living with labels of lies because of a bondage of sin? Do you long for a transformed reputation? Are you ashamed about what people say or know about you? If Jesus could totally transform Mary, He WILL transform me and you too. Why not ask Him today? Let’s see a few details that give an idea of Mary Magdalene’s new labels after she was set free by Jesus and exposed to His love.

 

-        Mary became a devoted, lifelong follower/disciple of Jesus who also supported Him financially (Luke 8:2-3)

-        Mary Magdalene was at the crucifixion (Matt 27:56)

-        Mary Magdalene was chosen to be the first to see the Risen Lord (Mark 16:9)

 

Let’s pause on that last point. Jesus chose HER! He didn’t choose John, Peter or one of the other disciples for this distinct honour of being the first to witness His resurrection. Mary Magdalene’s love for her Saviour made it impossible for her to resist his presence before and during His death. And even after His death, she yearned to honour His dead body. She wanted to embalm Him (Mark 16:1-7). She simply could not pull herself away from Him. Could this be the reason Jesus chose her for this honour? Mary Magdalene, freed from the bondage of her past, overflowing with love for Her Savior, got the joy of being first to share the news that the Saviour of the World had been raised from the dead. He allowed her the honour of touching Him and having a conversation with Him before He even went to heaven to present Himself to the Father after His resurrection. (John 20:17).  He chose her!  Jesus allowed ALL of heaven to wait so that He could comfort one weeping woman; one sorrowful follower whose hope was fragile. What love! What wont Jesus do to save, restore and strengthen you?

 

 Prayer:

Dear Father, we are unable to comprehend your love for us that keeps pursuing us. We are unable to understand the love that sent Jesus to the cross to die for sinful mortals like us. But we thank you! We glorify and honour you! We thank you that there is no chain of the devil that can resist the smashing, liberating power of your love. We thank you that through the example of Mary Magdalene’s life we are reminded that you have chosen us, despite our past to be your royal priesthood and to be a part of your family. Please remind us of our worth and redirect us when we get stuck with labels of lies. Give us reminders of the identity you have given us- child of the King. Thank you for being our Saviour who loves us endlessly. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.