Gospel : John 20:11-18
Mary Magdalene could have been the unnamed woman in Luke 7:36-50 who brought
and broke an alabaster box of ointment over Jesus' feet. This was in Nain
(Luke 7:11), not Bethany; and in the house of Simon the Pharisee (Luke 7:36,
40), not Simon the leper the father of Judas Iscariot. Immediately after the
anointing at Nain, Jesus was followed by "some women who had been healed of
evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons
had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herods's steward, and Susanna,
and many others who provided for them out of their means" (Luke 8:2-3).
If the penitent of Nain was Mary Magdalene, she was a notorious sinner (Luke
7:39). But after the anointing, Jesus pronounced her forgiveness as notorious
as her sin (7:47-48), adding, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace" (7:50).
1. SEE HOW CHRIST'S DYING BROUGHT DESOLATION INTO MARY'S LIFE
a. There was no sense of Vision in Mary's life.
So far as she knew, Jesus was dead. Standing by the cross (John 19:25), she
had last seen Him as a crucified man, not as a living Lord.
b. There was no sense of Reality in Mary's life.
First she thought she could manhandle the body on her own. Then she thought it
was the gardener she was talking to.
c. There was no sense of Purpose in Mary's life.
Hear her cry of dereliction as she ran to tell Peter and John: "They have
taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him". There is
no-one to live for now. We all need Someone to live for. She couldn't see
beyond the cross and grave.
2. SEE HOW CHRIST'S RISING BROUGHT CONSOLATION INTO MARY'S LIFE
a. She heard the Voice of Divine Authority.
First she was aware of His Voice. The Body had changed, but she heard the same
Voice that had stilled the storm, and raised Lazarus. "My sheep hear my voice,
and they follow me..." (John 10:27). "The dead shall hear the voice of the Son
of God: and they that hear shall live" (John 5:25). "This is my beloved Son in
whom I am well pleased: hear Him" (Matthew 17:5). (Revelation 3:20 too).
b. She heard the Voice of Divine Adequacy.
Secondly, she was aware of Him speaking her name. "Mary" He said; "Rabboni"
she acknowledged. She remembered Him casting out her seven demons. Then and
now, He proved adequate - like the power of a Rolls Royce engine. She yielded
her life to him. He changed her desolation into consolation.
3. SEE HOW CHRIST'S LIVING BROUGHT TRANSFORMATION INTO MARY'S LIFE
a. Mary experienced a Change of Relationship to Christ.
His Father becomes her Father; His God her God. Once she had seven demons: now
she has the sevenfold Spirit of God. Jesus lives in us by the Holy Spirit of
Pentecost.
b. Mary experienced a Change of Responsibility to Christ.
It was Mary Magdalene, not Peter, nor the Virgin Mary, who was the first
witness of the Resurrection. She was the first at the open tomb; the first to
see the angels; the first to speak with the risen Lord; the first to break the
news of His resurrection. We can bring this news to others today, and
transform their lives from desolation to jubilation. Have you told someone yet
today?
____________________________________________________________________________
In Christ,
Ben
--
Revd Ben Crick, BA CF
232 Canterbury Road, Birchington, Kent, CT7 9TD (UK)
http://www.cnetwork.co.uk/crick.htm
