As a little girl, bad dreams always drove me to make a beeline for my parents’ bedroom in the middle of the night. I’d wiggle my tiny body in between my mom and dad, and only then would my racing pulse steady. As I listened to the rhythms of my parents’ breathing, or saw the silhouettes of their faces in the moonlight, the memories of my nightmare would begin to fade. They didn’t even have to wake up for me to feel comforted. It was their presence that made the difference.
Mary Magdalene was a woman who sought the presence of Jesus. When Jesus traveled from town to town delivering the good news, Mary traveled with Him. As Jesus hung on the cross, Mary stood nearby. After His death, while His disciples scattered and hid, Mary stayed close to her Savior. She watched as Christ’s body was placed in a borrowed tomb.
Though Mary’s conversion is mysterious, we know she knew the sorrows that result from a life lived far from God. And if the nightmares of that previous life came howling, I imagine she found comfort in the nearness of her Savior, even after His death.
On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early,
while it was still dark (John 20:1).
I wonder what Mary experienced after Jesus’s death. Perhaps she tried to sleep but couldn’t. Perhaps images of her bruised and bloodied Healer rushed to the surface every time she closed her eyes. Maybe she’d spent the moonlit hours pacing, trying to shake the hopelessness that wanted to settle into the deepest crevices of her heart. Did she allow herself to think about life without Him and sigh, distraught?
Before the sun even dared to rise, Mary joined Salome and Mary, the mother of James, to anoint Christ’s body with spices (Mark 16:1). She wasn’t in denial about His death; she’d seen His lifeless body tucked into the dark tomb. But she felt compelled to join the other women in this act of care, and so she went to Him again, all the while wondering who would roll away the stone blocking them from His body. When she arrived, what she found was an empty tomb—and there, she met her risen Savior, before turning on her heel and running away to declare to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” (John 20:18).
How does a demon-possessed woman become the first proclaimer of the resurrection? She had been with Jesus. What was true of Mary is true for each of us: we all need the presence of Jesus. In His presence is peace and abundant joy (Psalm 16:11). May we seek and pursue Him as relentlessly as Mary did, confident His nearness will provide the comfort we crave.
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44 thoughts on "Mary Magdalene"
Jesus, bring me near to you
Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesh watch the chosen it is a good representation of this
Yes, Jesus all we need is to seek your presence. If we can remain near by you we will be comforted
Jesus’s comfort and that theme of His presence being enough keeps coming up in my readings and in day to day examples. Praying He would be nearer than my breath and I would sense it as I walk through suffering.
As I was able to worship the Lord with my brothers and sisters yesterday, I felt like Mary. I was so happy to be in his presence I was crying. I cried tears of joy and sadness. Tears of joy because I was able to worship the Lord again and tears of sadness because it wasn’t quite the same worshipping God with a mask on. It made me look forward to heaven, when we won’t have to wear masks or stay six feet away from anyone.
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I relate to Mary, I seek His presence and crave it. I have darkness in my past, but I have been freed. And where I feel comfortable the most is in His presence! ♡
Not a lot is known about Mary’s past except ‘seven demons had come out’.
That could be any of us, right? What are our demons? Pride, selfish ambition, love of money, white fragility, _________.
I imagine today’s Mary would be an anxious, A-type, tech-exec, Pilates teaching workaholic who – once she was freed of her ‘demons’ – would experience such freedom and joy that she would gladly follow Jesus AND she would probably have the financial means and relational capital to support His ministry.
Such is the transformational power of Jesus.
Your comment blessed me and helped me connect Mary’s story to our own present day ones.
Yes, Nancy Singleton, yes. Jesus is speaking, am I listening.
How sweet it is to come into the presence of the Lord each morning. I have had a 4 day hiatus from my morning devotions and this morning was so refreshing. I’m so thankful for SRT and everyone who encourages and inspires me with your comments. I had a situation yesterday where I felt very angry, and rather than going to my friends to complain which I would normally do, God put on my heart to go to Him in prayer. I pray I would seek first Jesus and his Kingdom (Matt 6:33) before anything of this world. Thank you, Lord, for the example of Mary Magdelene and her relentless pursuit of your presence.
“We all need the presence of Jesus” wow. So simple yet so profound and so true. Jesus’ presence when I acknowledge it wholly is what’s getting me through these rough days we’re living in.
Definitely!!
Lord may my desire to be in Your presence be like Mary Magdalene’s. She went out before the sun rose and when she heard Him speak, she recognized Him.
John 20:16 is always an emotional passage for me. I can feel the disbelief, joy, and desperation in Mary’s voice as she responds to Jesus calling her name. Because He knows our name, we are forever changed. I have been in a season of grief, discontentment, and confusion and the Colossians passage was such an encouragement to me today. It felt like one of those times it was written just for me, for this exact moment.
Wow Rachiel, I didn’t even think about that but that’s a good point and so true. Everywhere else in the Bible when someone sees an angel it says they are afraid. Thanks for enlightening me and bringing this to the forefront.
Churchmouse, I want some of that super power and staying power that Mary had. I want to be able to not waiver from God’s side.
Tori Hughes, there’s another Mary, back then Mary was a popular name.
Angie, thank you for what you wrote. I love the comparison.
NanaK., I will be asking myself these questions and praying this prayer now. Thanks.
Aubri Foster, I too struggle with that.
I’ve been struggling recently with seeing my place in the church and God’s kingdom as a woman. This reading is helping to give me a clearer answer. An answered prayer.
How often is he the first thing I seek in the morning? How often do I look for him, find him, but am blind to his presence … until he calls my name? Love this reminder
As I consider how the seven demons must have tormented Mary, I think about others today who are being tormented in a similar way. Because Jesus was here in the flesh with Mary, she was freed from this horrific oppression by the direct touch of her Lord and Savior.
But what about today? How are we to respond to those “hard cases” around us? Are we to pray for them and wait from a distance for the Lord to touch them without our presence in their lives?
When I recall the words of our Lord to the disciples when he saw the harassed and helpless crowds, he told them to “pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into this harvest.” Then he calls the twelve and “gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction” (Matthew 9:35-10:1).
How are we to understand, interpret and apply these words to our time and lives? Along with the prayer to plead to the Lord to send out (equipped and empowered) workers, I pray the prayer of Colossians 1:9-14, asking for the church to be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that we may be given the spiritual gifts to be present and help those who are suffering in this way greatly!
Wow when I read “…we all need the presence of Jesus.” in today’s devotional, I thought Erin hit the nail on the head. Even in the good times we need Jesus. How many times have I not reached out to God and Jesus first before reaching out to others. Saturday, I met two of my niece’s friends at the old apartment so they could help me with cleaning it. They had been asking what they could do to help and since my sister is very busy and it is hard on my back to do a lot of bending and cleaning at one time I had asked them to help. In two and a half hours they were done with everything (including shampooing the rugs). One of the young ladies was also able to help me get rid of some furniture I needed to get rid of. So I praise God for these wonderful young ladies and there help.
God and Jesus have allowed me to meet people I would have never have met before in my life. My life has been a whirlwind and I’ve had many up and downs but through it all I have found the one constant I can count on is that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit will be by my side, all I have to do is reach out and they will take my hand and walk with me even if no one else can or will.
Heavenly Father, I thank you for all you have done for me. For being there when I have needed you. You are a good, good Father, Amen.
“We all need the presence of Jesus.” I’ve been leaning on that more and more lately, after a time when it seemed impossible ❤️
Tori H. – I have the same question! After a little searching, my leaning is to say that this Mary is not the mother of Jesus. But I’m not sure and would love some insights from others!
Rachiel – I LOVE your observation about Mary Magdalene not being afraid of the angels. How interesting!
Melissa M. – Praying for your family during this demanding season.
Thank you all for sharing your reflections this morning. I just love opening my Bible with this community!
PAMELA WILLIAMS: The poem you shared on Friday is beautiful and touched my own heart deeply. I pray it is a comfort to Kristen as well!
”For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.” Job 19:25
Tori, I believe that Mary is another Mary. I located the answer here: https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/all-women-bible/Mary-Mother-James-Joses
Mary didn’t recognize Jesus until he called her by name.
Isaiah 53… Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name. You are mine.
I crave His comfort every day!
thank you for this <3
This morning I find myself asking: How often am I standing in the presence of my SAVIOR, yet I don’t recognize HIM? HIS voice? Am I seeking HIM relentlessly, truly desiring to find HIM every day, in all aspects of my life? Do I allow HIM to comfort me? Give me wisdom, endurance, patience…Am I growing in knowledge of HIS will and wisdom?
LORD, I pray that today I will seek YOU and YOUR voice relentlessly.
❤️
Such good questions. I’m going to continue considering those. Amen to that prayer!
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The hard truth is, Mary Magdalene probably wouldn’t have been a friend of mine when she was demon possessed. She probably wasn’t a friend of anyones, really. She was probably very much alone and living in the blackest darkness. But with Jesus, the old is made new. She went from living dead to living live.
I like what C.H. Spurgeon says, “You have seen a painter with his palette on his finger and he has ugly daubs of paint on the palette. What can he do with those spots? Go in and see the picture. What splendid painting! In an even wiser way does Jesus act toward us. He takes us, poor smudges of paint, and He makes the blessed pictures of His grace out of us. It is neither the brush nor the paint He uses, but it is the skill of His own hand which does it all.”
Mary Magdalene was a masterpiece of God. The old was made new. The ugly daubs transformed into a work of the most beautiful art in the hands of our God. We too are masterpieces…not to be hung on a wall and admired, not to be beautiful, the smartest, the most popular…we are masterpieces made to serve our Savior in love. The ugly daubs have been transformed into the brightest colors of life and love. Each masterpiece unique. Each masterpiece for a purpose. Each masterpiece created in love by the hand of our God.
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I have a question: Is Mary, mother of James, also Jesus’s mother? Or is this another Mary?
Mary Magdalene lived a life of contrasts. She was a woman possessed by seven demons so she knew the deep darkness of hell itself. She had no control of herself or her life. She was freed from these demons by an encounter with Jesus. Her life going forward was then characterized by yielding to His control, with faithful devotion to Him. What I love about her is that she stayed. She stayed at His side, heard His teaching, saw the miracles, watched His crucifixion and went to the tomb, continually serving, continually staying. Mary’s staying power was her Holy Spirit super power. May the same be said of us all. Let us be found faithful.
One of the things that stuck out to me in this reading is the Mary Magdalene was not afraid of angels. Everyone else who has seen one has freaked out at the sign of one, but she was so overcome with grief, she just didn’t care. She wanted to know where God was.
The Good Shepherd, whose sheep know His voice…Oh Lord, speak to me, for I am listening.
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I get chills every time I read the part where Jesus says “Mary” and she answers, ‘Rabboni’. She didn’t recognize Him, but she knew His voice. It was such an automatic response.
When I’m standing alone, sad, confused I long to hear His voice whisper in my ear. I rise early in the morning while all is quiet and dark, listening for His voice. As the day moves on I often forget to listen, but I know He is still beside me.
Oh how I love Him and long for Him.
Amen!
“We all need the presence of Jesus”
Life has been demanding recently for my family. But in every difficult situation, I get to choose to be near to Jesus or push him away. I’ve done it both ways. I can affirm the comfort in his presence no matter the circumstance compared to the loneliness away from him.
My heart sank this morning as I read John 20:16. “Jesus said to her, ‘Mary’”
At that moment she realized he was not a gardener. Her eyes were opened to that she was standing in the presence of Jesus once again.
Love this and love Mary Magdalene’s story. A true follower of Jesus. I try to think of how she might have spoken and felt about Jesus because of her deliverance and the freedom He gave her. I see her allegiance, love, and gratitude in her actions. This is another Tim Keller podcast about Mary, and it is called, Mary Meets Jesus: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/timothy-keller-sermons-podcast-by-gospel-in-life/id352660924?i=1000471674067
Also, I reread Colossians 1:9-14 referenced above. May that be words that I dwell on and praise Him for!