You’ve seen her in the movies and read about her in books where she is depicted among other things as a well known sinner, a prostitute, a woman to be stoned for adultery, the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet, and even as Jesus’ wife. She has been misunderstood, misjudged, misinterpreted, by those who are misguided, and misinformed.
How easy it is to mistake someone’s character because the facts had been ignored. A simple reading of Scripture would indicate the truth about this woman.
Her name is Mary. She came from a small fishing village on the northwest part of the Sea of Galilee know as Magdala. She was known as Mary Magdalene. She was one of a group of women who were followers of Jesus and who supported his ministry.
Luke reports this in chapter 8:1-3. “And it came about soon afterwards that He began going about from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God; and the twelve were with Him, and some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means”. See also Mark 15:41.
Brave women, capable women, supportive women. Grateful for the elimination of their sicknesses and demons by the miracles of Jesus Christ. And for opportunities in their service to be blessed every day by what they saw and heard as Jesus taught and healed. Can you imagine their abundance of joy?
Mary Magdalene was freed by Jesus from the dark oppression of seven demons. Jesus took demon possession very seriously and dealt with it often. (As an aside…if you are a believer in Jesus Christ and have accepted Him as your Saviour you are not susceptible to demon possession. When you accept Christ you are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and nothing gets by Him! Demons can oppress but they cannot possess a Christian).
It is significant that we witness Mary’s name most often at the end of Jesus’ life. She is one of the courageous and loyal ones present at the Crucifixion, (all but two of the apostles had fled,). ( Mt 27:55,56,61). She was present at the burial and as the stone was rolled across the entrance, present at the appearance of the dazzling angels, (Mark 16:1-8) present at the empty tomb and ultimately she was the first one to behold the resurrected Christ. (Jn. 20:11-18). What an honour!
Think of the ordeal experienced by Mary and the other women at the cross. The agony of observing Jesus suffering, the frightening darkness that fell upon the land from noon to three, the earthquake, rocks splitting and tombs opening, the fear of the religious and political officials who had just murdered Christ.
Mt. 28:1-2 “Now after the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. And behold a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from Heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it” The angel gave them an assignment, go quickly and tell His disciples.
Matthew reports that the women experienced the fear of not knowing where Jesus body was, to be followed with great joy when they encountered the risen Christ.
Mary Magdalene must have been somewhat overwhelmed as she stood outside the empty tomb weeping. To the point that she did not recognize Jesus immediately when He appeared in the garden. In the darkness and tears of her grieving she at first mistakenly thought He was the gardener but as soon as He spoke her name she recognized the glorified Jesus.
Mary, faithful to the end, dedicated to serving and supporting Jesus’ ministry, loyally keeping vigil at the cross, courageous and true in the most difficult circumstances. Do you see now her reputation, her identity restored, renewed, reclaimed re-evaluated just by examining what Scripture teaches instead of making mistaken assumptions.
We can avoid mistaken identity by knowing the truth of Scripture. And by studying the Bible we will never be mistaken about our identity in Christ!
