Mary Magdalene: Incredible Faith

Aside from His mother, perhaps the best-known woman to have played a role in the life of Jesus was Mary Magdalene. Mary Magdalene, meaning "Mary from Magdala", has been fablized into a woman with a troubled past. Some suggest that she was a prostitute, an adulteress, or the sinful woman of Luke 7 - these are traditional misrepresentations that transpired from a 6th-century sermon by Pope Gregory I. These false characteristics become the overshadowing narrative about Mary - God pictures her differently.

We first find Mary in Luke 8:2, the woman from whom Jesus cast seven demons. Nothing about demon possession suggests immortality; it simply suggests oppression. She is a woman who found complete healing by the power of Jesus and her corresponding faith in Him (Acts 3:16). The faith she possessed may at times have weakened, as ours does, but Scripture does not focus on such. Instead, Scripture portrays Mary as possessing a great faith, one that makes her name memorable for the right reasons.

Mary was a devoted follower of Jesus. There are at least three ways that the gospel accounts demonstrate this for us. First, she was a financial contributor to the ministry of Jesus (Luke 8:2-3). It goes without saying that financial support for a cause demonstrates a strong belief in it. Second, she was present at the crucifixion of Jesus (Matt 27:55-56; Mark 15:40; John 19:25). The Lord, having stood trial, hanging upon the cross, depicted as a criminal, was a fear-inspiring event — where were the twelve? Where was Mary? At His feet, unashamedly. Additionally, she publicly associated herself with our slain Lord by going to the tomb where He would lie (Matt 27:61; Mark 15:47; Luke 23:55-56). Third, she was the first to witness the resurrection. She was with the group of women who went to the tomb (Matt 28:1; Mark 16:1; Luke 24:1). Have you considered how intimidating this single act would have been? To tend to the grave of the nation's most hated man? She found the stone rolled away and went to give a report (John 20:1-2). She was the first person that Jesus, resurrected, revealed Himself to (John 20:14-16) - in fact, Jesus would disguise Himself for other disciples (Luke 24:16). Jesus sent her to announce His resurrection to the other disciples (John 20:17-18; Mark 16:9-10) — she became the first herald of the good news.

Mary Magdalene was a woman of incredible faith - from start to finish. What a great example.