Mary Magdalene, Grateful Servant

He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons.  Mark 16:9

How would you feel if you had been brought from death to life? What if you were really sick, at the point of death, and then suddenly you were healed? What would you do with your life after that? Would the experience change you?

An outcast from society, Mary Magdalene was tormented by seven demons. But then she met one man who didn’t see her that way. Jesus cast out her demons, healing her from the inside out — bringing her from death to life. So what do you think Mary did with her life after that?

Mary must have realized the remarkable chance she had at a new life. So, for the next three years, she chose to spend her days faithfully following and serving Jesus. Even when all but one of the twelve disciples deserted Jesus at his crucifixion, she stood near the cross, mourning the loss of her Savior.

Three days later, she was still faithful. She went to the tomb and discovered that Jesus’ body was missing. Confused and upset, she didn’t recognize Jesus when he approached. Then he said her name, “Mary.” She knew that voice.

The risen Savior could have appeared first to his twelve disciples, but instead he chose Mary Magdalene, the woman who showed him undying gratitude.

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her. John 20:11-18

Turning Gratitude into Action

Remember the last time you were so thankful you had to shout? Was it good news about a sick relative, a first date or a college acceptance letter? All are reasons to rejoice. But how about being grateful for life in Christ? If you’ve trusted Jesus Christ to save you from your sins, you’ve been given the promise of eternal life in heaven. You’ve been brought from death to life. You are loved by the heavenly Father, who promises you a full life in him. So don’t just stand there! Show your undying gratitude to your Savior by telling others what Jesus has done for you.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, I am eternally grateful for what you’ve done for me. Help me  to love you more each day and to tell others of my gratitude. Amen.