Mary Magdalene was nothing short of a trophy of grace. She knew what it was to have her sins forgiven, and she knew the one who forgave her. Look at what Jesus did for her:
“…Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons…”
Luke 8:2
We don’t know what kind of demons or what stronghold they had in her life, but she definitely had her own demons. No doubt they tormented her and kept tempting her to sin. However, Jesus cast them out. He freed her from the power of sin and death. Now, she loved and followed Him because He first loved her. Look at the active role she played in Jesus’ ministry:
Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.
Luke 8:1–3
Mary Magdalene was among many who were with Him and who supported Him from their own resources. This means they contributed to His support using their personal means. Therefore, Mary actively participated in Jesus of Nazareth’s ministry. She likely witnessed many miracles and frequently heard the gracious words that came from His mouth.
“Mary Magdalene was nothing short of a trophy of grace. She knew what it was to have her sins forgiven, and she knew the one who forgave her.”
But one day, her world came crashing down when she heard that Jesus had been quickly arrested, tried, and then crucified by the Romans. Since we know the outcome of this execution, we tend to overlook the horror that must’ve gripped her heart. This kind and loving friend, this innocent miracle-worker, was suddenly being treated like a murderer and being put to death for something He hadn’t done. He wasn’t quickly stoned to death or shot through with arrows or spears. He was being crucified and slowly dying in unspeakable agony.
“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.”
John 19:25
What do you do when someone you love endures unspeakable pain? You stand by the cross. The angel of the Lord told the mother of Jesus how she would one day feel:
“Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, ‘Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against
(yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.’”
A sword shall pierce her very soul. His mother would be cut to the heart. She would suffer the deepest anguish. And Mary Magdalene was there to witness the horror and support Mary… and she wouldn’t leave:
“When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb… And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.”
Matthew 27:59–61
Jesus was dead. His life was over. All hope was gone. But they sat across from the tomb. Where could they go? He alone had the words of eternal life. The Bible doesn’t say why they sat there, but it seems they sat there, waiting in expectation. Jesus had said that he would rise from the dead on the third day. But it was a dead end. Nothing happened, so it appears Mary went home and then came back the next day:
“Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark…”
John 20:1
He hadn’t risen from the dead. Grief gripped her very soul. Everyone had gone home. So now she stood alone, outside of the tomb, weeping:
Then the disciples went away again to their own homes. But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept, she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.
John 20:10-14
She saw Jesus standing there, but she didn’t recognize Him in His risen state. Two disciples had a similar experience when He appeared to them on the Road to Emmaus (see Luke 24:15–16). Mark alludes to this in his gospel:
“After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country.”
Mark 16:12
The risen Savior continues to speak to her:
Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”
John 20:15–18
Nothing in history compares to what is about to happen to this weeping woman from whom Jesus cast seven demons. No sunrise has ever been so magnificent. No thunder or lightning has ever ushered in such tidings. Mary is about to hear one word that will rip the darkness from her anguished soul and pull her into the glorious light. One word that had implications so great it is breathtaking…
Jesus said to her, “Mary!”
No one could say her name the way Jesus said it. That single utterance from the lips of the Son of God meant that death had been conquered, and a thousand hallelujah choruses from Handel’s Messiah couldn’t begin to do it justice. The promise of the prophet had been fulfilled:
“He will swallow up death forever,
And the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces…”
Isaiah 25:8
And wonder of wonders, when Jesus uttered her name, He uttered yours and mine also:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
