“The Power of the Resurrection” (Part Three)

As we have considered Mary of Magdala this week, and her spiritual journey, we have seen how she came to Christ and how she lived out her commitment to Christ. We close our consideration of this “woman in a man’s world” as we see how the resurrection, by giving her new life, impacted her world-view.

A Future Confidence

A Continued Devotion (Mark 16:1-2)- After Shabbat, she, with Salome and Mary the mother of James, “bought sweet spices that they might come and anoint” the body (Mark 16:1). She was still serving Christ—even in His death.

            The next morning, in the earliest dawn (Matt. 28:1; Mark 16:2), they came with Mary the mother of James to the sepulcher with those sweet spices, that they might finish the anointing the body of Jesus—a process that had been cut short by the arrival of Shabbat.

A Personal Devastation (John 20:1-2)- They found the sepulcher empty, and Mary’s first assumption was that there had been grave robbers (John 20:2) that had stolen the body. Mary hurried to tell Peter and John, who were apparently still hiding in the upper room with the rest of the Eleven remaining disciples (John 20:1,2), and then immediately returned to the sepulcher. There she waited, weeping at the door of the tomb.            

            Staggering between faith and unbelief, she was emotionally spent—drained by the events of the last 72 hours. So she did all that she could do, she sat and wept…

A Powerful Declaration (John 20:11-18)- As she wept, she was suddenly confronted by two angelic messengers (John 20:11-13), and heard perhaps the most powerful words spoken (Luke 24:5-6) to human ears, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, He is risen!”

            Now the stage was set to bring light to her darkness, and joy to her broken heart. Now was the time, when her mourning would be turned to dancing, and her tears of agony into tears of celebration. Jesus Himself appeared to her! Track the dialogue between the woman and the Christ (John 20:11-18):

• The risen Lord (vv.14-15) appears to her, but at first she knows him not. He probes her with His questions, and she asks where “they” have taken the body of Jesus.
• His calling of her name “Mary” (v.16a) recalls her to consciousness, for as the song says, “no one speaks your name like Jesus.” He spoke her name as He had when He had delivered her, as He had when He had taught her and encouraged her and ministered to her. There was no mistaking this voice, now that she saw with undimmed eyes—it was the Lord. Remember, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:27,28).
• She breathes (v.16b) the joyful, reverent cry, “Rabboni.” It is Aramaic, and means, “My Lord, My Master, My Rabbi.” This word said it all, as she responded to the Risen Christ with faith, reverence, and joy.
• She wanted to cling to him (v.17), never to be separated again, but He forbade her, saying, “Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father.”
• She declared (v.18) to the followers of Jesus that she had seen the risen Lord. What a privilege. It was a message of mystery and joy, and was the most wonderful message ever brought by human lips.

            This is the last recorded event in the Bible that mentions Mary of Magdala. But, in itself it is a huge thing. Christ responded to her devotion in a wonderful way for, remember, she is a woman in a man’s world! To truly lay groundwork in that world for the coming of this “new faith” you would make sure that the first to hear and see would be a collection of the most influential, respected, and believable men in the land. Yet, Jesus entrusts this privilege to a woman—the first person in history to experience the power of the resurrection.

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She was a woman in a man’s world, but the Lord who had delivered her also had appointed her to be the very first to declare the power of the resurrection. This was her crown of glory, as the Lord honored her faithfulness with this great moment. Her life is the perfect example of how Jesus can use the heart given to Him, and what Jesus will do in the life that loves Him utterly. Questions…

How do you love Him? How do I?

How does He use you? Or me?

            The issues are inextricably linked. Her new life in Christ displayed her great love, and the transforming power of the resurrection to lift her despair and give life a renewed sense of purpose. May each of us who have experienced the power of the resurrected Christ go and do likewise.