Mary Magdalene
An Example of a New Creature in Christ.
2 Cor. 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
A true Christian is a new creature; perhaps, there is no better life than that of Mary Magdalene to prove this.
She was a woman who from being full of evil spirit got transformed to being full of the Holy Spirit.
She rose to close intimacy with Jesus to the extent that Jesus had to see her first before ascending to heaven.
What were the secret of this woman that am so endeared to?
Her Unique Characteristics:
1. She was a genuine recipient of a great salvation-
Mat. 3:8–10 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
That is, she did not receive the gift of salvation casually:
She did not pay only lip service she accepted the Lord Jesus Christ out of a pure heart and it was demonstrated in her service to God.
- She was grateful for her salvation and showed it –
1 John 3:18; My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but indeed and in truth.
How grateful are we for the salvation of our soul? The greatest thing that could ever happen to anyone is to see this great this great light of salvation
How did she show that she was grateful?
a. The moment Jesus cast out the demons in her, she followed Him doggedly even unto death and spent herself –
Mat 27:55–56- And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedees children.
Mark 15:47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.
b. She ministered in substance; she had a high spirit of spending for the Christ.
Luke 8:2–3 And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, 3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance…
Some of us are born again but our purses are not
Mal. 3:10
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
The test of our love is in the area of giving to God- Abraham passed the test!
Mary Magdalene also did. Praise God!
Do you love Him? Then let the church not lack money! Why is the church purse draining? If genuinely you love Christ? Then give your tithe, first fruits, offerings and give sacrificially for the sake of the gospel. You don’t need to be cajoled.
c. She had a very high faith in her saviour, even when it seemed hopeless-
John 19:25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
At the point that she could have given up hope, she did not, she kept on believing in her saviour
Dan. 3: 16–18 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
Job 13 :15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.
We keep on believing in Jesus even when the situation seems in impossible; He can reverse all irreversible situations in our favour.
d. She still loved God even it seemed that her object of love was dead- John 20:1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
e. She was a God seeker- Mathew 20:5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
f. She was a devoted seeker. 1 chron. 22:19, Ps. 73:25; Phil. 3:8
g. She was a persistent seeker. John 20:10–13 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, 12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.
Even when John and Peter gave up , she still persisted and refused to go without finding Jesus.
h. She was a courageous seeker: she refused to forsake Jesus when others fled.
Mt 27:55–56.
i. She was a great leader and yet a humble follower of Jesus, despite her wealth, she found it so natural to mix up with the disciples who were of very low class. James 4:7
j. She was not a selfish woman, she received salvation, and reached out to other women in her class and helped them to accept and serve Jesus and together they financed the ministry of Jesus.Lk. 8 :2–3
k. She had great spiritual insight. Where Peter and John saw nothing, she saw two angels who had been there all long-
John 20 :11–12 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, 12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.
Do you discern? or everything is accepted?
What should we learn from the life of this great sister of ours, Mary Magdalene?
1. Not how long but how close that matters. Within three years of been redeemed, Mary Magdalene became very intimate to Jesus and of immense role in His ministry.
2. You may have been born again for over twenty years and may be occupying a position, but how close is your heart to Jesus?
3. God rewards persistent seekers. Mat 7:7, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
4. When God seems dead concerning your matter, still trust Him, He will show up.
Prov. 8:17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
5. Your motive for service should be for gratitude for your salvation and deliverance.
2 Thess.2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.
Do you serve Jesus out of envy or because of the benefits? Remember Mary Magdalene did not expect anything from Jesus after her salvation. She was only grateful for her deliverance all through!
Though a woman, she was not engaged in any form of rivalry with the male disciples, she was only doing her thing as an expression of her gratitude to God!
Conclusion,
Mary Magdalene, by her behaviuor and constant attendance on Jesus in His ministry, at His crucifixion and at His grave exceeded all in seeking Jesus and Jesus responded by giving her the privilege of being the first to see Him after resurrection. Praise God!
Altar call.
Closing Prayer
Father, please help me to serve you genuinely with all that You have given me,
Strength,
wisdom,
talent,
money etc.in Jesus Name. Amen.
