A Calling to be a Mary Magdalene
Today's Bible Verse
Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!”
And she told them that he had said these things to her.
(John 20: 18)
She is someone whom every easter would remind us of. We are able to see Mary Magdalene in the darkness of that glorious dawn, together with Mary (the mother of James) and Salome, rushing towards the tomb in the garden. They are carrying the ointment of spices with them to anoint Jesus's body. They had already witnessed the Saturday that left all of them shaken, empty and clueless. And, in the middle of such a hopeless, anxious and insecure situation, these three women were determined to do what they could do for their Lord, their Teacher and their Saviour. Mary Magdalene's heart was full of gratitude for Christ Jesus had earlier delivered her from the bondage of the demons and had changed her life forever!
I find three important lessons for a faithful ministry from Mary Magadalene's presence in the easter events. She was committed to her faith even in the midst of hopelessness. She witnessed the risen Lord and became a testimony to His glorious resurrection. She shared the good news with the disciples who were slowly embracing hopelessness. Today, on this easter, as we celebrate the resurrection of the Lord, Mary Magdalene stands in front of us, reminding us of the spiritual standards she had set while the world wasn't prepared to even witness the Risen Lord.
A calling to be committed to our faith in the midst of hopelessness.
My thoughts go to that Saturday. That Saturday was a day of hopelessness. After spending nearly three years with Jesus, hearing Him preach, seeing Him serve, watching Him perform miracles, and witnessing Him spread love and assurance in the people's life, Jesus's disciples have seen Him hanging on the cross. What about the mission forward? What about the movement Jesus had started? What's next? Clueless, they were. And, Mary Magdalene probably decides and prepares to go to see Jesus's tomb on this very day. What did she expect from that tomb? Was her commitment to the Lord going to help her in any way? Didn't her Lord die hanging on the cross? But none of these bothered her. The only thing that came to her mind was her commitment. Today, on this easter day, God is calling you to be committed to the faith that you have in the Lord. Whatever the situation around you may be, whether it is promising or hopeless, worthy or pointless, you are called to be a Mary Magdalene who would stand firm, be committed to your faith, and do the best you can to the Lord your saviour.
A calling to witness the Risen Lord and to testify.
Mary Magdalene was the luckiest to first witness the glory of the risen Lord. According to the Gospel of John, "Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”)" (John 20: 11-16). Yes! She witnessed the glory of the Risen Lord in person. Today, this is the calling to you. The Lord is inviting you to witness His love, glory, and companionship in your life, experience it for yourself, and then be a witness to the Lord in this world.
A calling to share the Risen Lord where there is hopelessness.
Mary Magdalene not only witnessed the Risen Lord and saved the encounter preciously within herself but she also came out and shared the good news of the Lord's resurrection. When Mary realised it was the Risen Lord standing in front of her, she cried out in excitement and said "Teacher!" For that, Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her (John 20: 17, 18). This became the greatest purpose of Mary Magdalene's life: to share the good news of the Risen Lord as someone who has experienced and seen the glory of the Lord's resurrection first-hand. Today, this is a great call to you. The Lord is inviting you to share the good news of hope that we serve a living God, a risen Saviour who brings hope in the midst of hopelessness.
Therefore, this easter brings us a great calling; a calling to be a Mary Magdalene in this world of hopelessness. Let us be committed to our faith in the midst of hopelessness, let us witness the Risen Lord and become a testimony for Him, and let us make it our mission to share the Risen Lord where there is no hope in the lives of people.
May the blessings of God the Father, the love and grace of Christ Jesus the Son, and the fellowship and guidance of the Holy Spirit, be with us, as we continue to serve the Risen Lord and our living Saviour.
Wishing you and your family a Blessed Easter!
May God bless you.
Yours in Christ,
"Because He Lives🎶"
by Celtic Worship
