APRIL 19, 2023
Mark 16:1-11
16 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”
4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’
8 Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.
When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. 11 When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.
Mary was a Jewish woman from the fishing town Magdala on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. Mark and Luke recorded the healing of demons from Mary’s life in their Gospel accounts. Luke 8:1-2 for example records the following, “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 (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out…” The healing that took place in her life through Jesus’ miraculous presence moved her to dedicate her life to follow Jesus. She knew she would not have the life she had, if not for Him. It seems to me, that Mary Magdalene lived daily the faith we all strive to achieve.
Mary Magdalene was a prominent figure in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. She is mentioned several times in the Gospels as a devoted follower of Jesus, Her name is mentioned 12 times in the Gospels, more than most of the apostles. She was present at his crucifixion and burial. On the first Easter morning she is also the first witness, evangelist, to the resurrection of Jesus. Mary was a woman of strong faith, and her allegiance to Jesus was unwavering. Her story serves as an example of faith and dedication. Mary’s desperate longing to be close to Christ and serve Him in any way she could became how she lived her life and is an example to all Jesus followers.
What strikes me in the Easter accounts is that the Risen Jesus could have appeared to any of the other disciples, but its Mary Magdalene who was the one to carry the resurrection message away from the tomb. What do you think, Lucky Mary, Lucky women happened to be in the right place at the right time? Was this experience some fluke thing?
I do not believe for one moment that Mary Magdalene’s experience was “right place, right time” or just “luck” or some crazy “fluke.” I believe this whole experience at the tomb and beyond was the victorious outcome of a faithful and devoted life to Jesus. She got to be the one to say, "hey world, Jesus is alive!"
So here is what my reflections have been leading me to think. I wonder if the outcome of faithfully following Jesus, is to put us in a place, giving us eyes to see, the signs of resurrection all around us. By that I mean to be able to identify the moments that the Risen Jesus shows up. Believe me, Jesus does show up!!
What is it we say in worship sometimes
“Surely God is in this place, Help me notice, Help us notice together. Amen"
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