Mary Magdalene

 

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. (John 20:1–9 ESV).

 

Mary Magdalene is a prominent figure in the New Testament, recognized as one of Jesus' most devoted followers and the first witness to his resurrection. Often called the "Apostle to the Apostles," she played a crucial role in early Christianity, though her legacy has been the subject of significant historical debate and misconception. The Gospels describe Mary as a woman from whom Jesus cast out "seven demons". Following this healing, she traveled with Jesus, supporting his ministry financially along with other women of means. While many of Jesus’ male disciples fled during his arrest and execution, Mary Magdalene remained at the foot of the cross until his death and witnessed his burial. All four canonical gospels agree she was the first, or among the first, to discover the empty tomb on Easter morning. In the Gospel of John, she is the first person to encounter the risen Christ, who then commissions her to tell the other disciples.

 

That morning of Jesus’ resurrection, Mary Magdalene went to visit his tomb early—and when she saw the stone rolled away, she quickly went to tell Jesus’ disciples. They came and saw and then returned to where they were staying. But Mary couldn’t leave. She was overcome with sorrow about Jesus’ death and couldn’t imagine life without him. So she lingered in the garden and wept.

 

Through her tears she saw two angels in the tomb. She explained why she was crying, and then she turned around and saw Jesus there but didn’t recognize him. It’s hard to know why she didn’t recognize him. Maybe her vision was clouded by tears. Maybe Jesus’ resurrected body was somehow different. Whatever the reason, she mistook him for the gardener and asked where Jesus’ body had been taken. And Jesus simply called her by name: “Mary.”

 

Her story ought to challenge us. We often encounter Jesus and don’t recognize him. Maybe we are talking with a person in need. Maybe someone is calling us to repentance. Maybe someone is showing us kindness or grace. Or maybe Jesus is present in a random event. Maybe our vision is clouded by busyness or worry, fear, or inattention. But then Jesus, who knows everything about us, gets our attention, and we immediately know he is there. We can tell that he loves us and is always with us. We know that his grace is for us, and that he calls us to follow him in everything we do.

 

I encourage you to pay closer attention to the encounters of your journey. Don’t miss the work of Jesus in your life!