Do you know, Mary of Magdala, who came from a fishing town near the Sea of Galilee? She was more commonly know as Mary of Magdalene. Was she a prostitute as some claim, while others claim she was the wife of Jesus? The list of claims and accusations continue to grow to this day. She was and still is, a very misunderstood messenger for the Lord who inspires us because she listened to Him.
Mary was possessed by demons, not just one, but SEVEN! Then, she met the Lord. She was a thankful, grateful woman who had been freed in an amazing way. Can you image 7 demons inside of you, directing you, filling your mind with evil thoughts from the pit of hell? It must have been a nightmare, until Jesus came and shined His light and freed her. The gratitude she must have felt would’ve been phenomenal, and I am sure that is why she faithfully served Jesus and listened to Him.
Devotion Greater than Fear
She supported Jesus with her time, her money, and her abilities. Mary’s devotion was greater than her fear, as she went to the cross, she didn’t let fear keep her away from remaining by Jesus side. Even though all the apostles but one ran away, only John went to the cross. Movies often depict her as a young beautiful woman, same age as Jesus, but she could have been an older woman, a widow, maybe. We just don’t know. But we know she listened to Him and supported Him even at the cross.
Mary Recognized Jesus’ Voice & Listened to Him
I’ve often wondered if Jesus was so badly disfigured from the beatings, and the crucifixion, that he wasn’t even recognizable. Near the tomb, Jesus spoke to Mary, but it wasn’t until He said her name that she recognized His voice. I want to recognize the Lord’s voice when He calls me, I don’t want all the other voices to drown out His voice. When I hear the Word of the Lord, I will stop what I am doing and listen to Him!
Mary was entrusted with the good news about Jesus, and she shared it with the disciples. She was faithful to deliver the message that Jesus is alive. So yes, Mary was a faithful messenger and we will remember her gratitude, and all she did for the Lord. When John and I visited Galilee and Mary’s hometown of Magdala in 2019 and saw the chapel honoring women from the Bible. I’ll never forget the sound of the sea, and the fishing boats, and wondering if Jesus walked where we did.
https://www.magdala.org/duc-in-altum You can visit the “women’s chapel” in Magdala by clicking this link.
