MARY MAGDALENE

MARK 16:9

A. "NOW JESUS WAS RISEN EARLY THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK, HE APPEARED FIRST TO MARY MAGDALENE."
  1. Mary Magdalene:
    1. Ranks highly among the devoted women that ministered to their Master
    2. She joined the followers of Christ on several missions
  2. Her life story is full of inspiring incidents:
    1. Worthy of our prayerful consideration
    2. The Holy Spirit had them recorded for definite purposes
B. NOTE THESE RELATED INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF MARY MAGDALENE
  1. Evil Spirits tormented her:
    1. That simply means that the devil sought to destroy her life and usefulness Matt. 8:6; 4:24
    2. Satan must have seen potentials in her life and he sought to destroy these - by evil spirits tormenting her - Mark 5:1-12
    3. The idea of seven evil spirits means she was under Satan's complete control
  2. Some commentators of the Bible maintain that:
    1. Mary was a fallen woman
    2. They refer us to Luke 7:35-50 as having reference to Mary Magdalene; others dispute this, claiming Mary Magdalene was an honorable person
    3. Also to the attitude of Simon the leper the head and feet of the Lord - Matt. 26:6 and Mark 14:3
  3. Whatever may be said about Mary Magdalene's past:
    1. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Redeemer and that made the difference - Rom 8:1-3; 31-38
    2. She became a new creature - 2 Cor. 5:14-17. Her past was covered with the blood of Jesus - I John 1:7-9; I Peter 1:18-19
C. THE EXPERIENCE OF MARY MAGDALENE DEMONSTRATES
  1. The power of the transforming grace of God:
    1. Paul emphasizes this gospel truth in these words: "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." - I Tim. 1:15
    2. "Thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." - Matt. 1:21
  2. This transforming Grace is very much in evidence in the life of Mary Magdalene:
    1. She did what no other disciple did, she anointed our Lord's head and his feet with spikenard - a costly ointment - John 12:3; Mark 14:3
    2. This expression of love for the Lord has been set up by the Lord for a memorial wherever the gospel is preached - Mark 14:9
    3. She was first to see the Lord after his resurrection - Mark 16:9
    4. She ministered to the Lord whenever she had opportunity - Luke 8:3; Matt. 27:55
  3. Best of all:
    1. The story of Mary Magdalene brings hope to a lost sinner - it matters not how deeply he may have fallen
    2. Her experience is matched only by the penitent thief on the cross - Luke 23:42-44
    3. Then too, the Samaritan may be on the same level - John 4:22-36
    4. Her experience demonstrates the power of God unto salvation- Rom. 1:16; for our Saviour is able to save to the uttermost - Heb. 7:24-25
  4. Summary:
    1. Mary Magdalene was a sinner; but when she accepted Jesus Christ she became a saint - Rom. 8:1-3
    2. No effort or sacrifice was too much for her to show her gratitude to the Saviour
    3. Can we match such love?


Design © John Bryant 2011