Mary of Magdalene, She Is Me

I'd like to think that I can find a reflection of myself in every woman mentioned in the Bible. Ruth was loyal, Esther was confident, beautiful, and bold. Abigail was wise, Hannah was resilient, Sarah was authoritative, Eve was seductive, and Mary the Mother of Jesus was submissive. However, it's the story of Mary Magdalene that moves my heart every time I come across her life in the scriptures. Mary was determined.

A quick overview of Mary Magdalene; Jesus casted seven demons out of her while he was traveling from town to town proclaiming the Gospel. Mind you, seven is the number of completeness, meaning the level of torment Mary was under was VERY severe. After her deliverance she became a close follower of Jesus and was the first to witness Christ after his resurrection. She was also the first person to tell the good news that Jesus had risen from the dead. "Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. There twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary Magdalene from whom seven demons had come out ..."

"A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume ..." (Luke 7:36-37) Word came to Mary that Jesus was in town, dining with a certain Pharisee, Simon. Oh I can just imagine Mary dropping every plan of hers for that evening after hearing such news. Can't say I blamed Mary one bit, uninvited yet determined, making haste, she was set out to behold her Savior."...As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears." (Luke 7:38) Ouchy! This gets me every time! Here it is, Mary Magdalene, a woman that had been abused by men, body exploited and used by the hour, sitting at the feet of Jesus, weeping, soul yearning for rest. Life in repetitive cycles, tired, heart desiring to be done with the life of sin, crying out for liberty."Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them." (Luke 7:38) I look at the posture that Mary was in, in the scripture, and I see her kneeling in Repentance - not just sorry, but Godly sorry for her sins. Friend, I don't know about you, but I can relate to Mary in many ways. I'm sure no one can tell it like Mary can tell it, just what Jesus had done for her, but I can relate to needing rest in my soul and peace in my mind, having to press my way to Jesus and taking on his yoke, that he promised is light. Oh there's no better feeling than the feeling of freedom.

Simon, The Pharisee, despised Jesus for touching Mary. It was evident that he didn't fully understand who sat and dined with him just yet."Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what manner of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you ..."

A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?" Simon answered, "The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt. And he said to him, you have judge rightly. Then turning to the woman he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; and you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in, she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven - for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little. And he said to her, Your sins are forgiven. Then those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this, that even forgives sins?" And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." (Luke 7:39-50)

Mary was determined to get exactly that in which her soul was seeking: peace, rest, forgiveness, purpose, deliverance, and salvation, and sought it from the one that possessed it all, Jesus.

Jesus Is Just That Good,

Pamelia Walker