Mary was the victim of demon possession. Jesus cast them out and she became a loyal follower. Probably no other Bible character has had their reputation more maligned than the Lady of Magdala. The origin of the myths surrounding her past is thought to have begun with Pope Gregory in 581 A.D. He connected her with the “sinful woman” from Luke 7. From there, they myths grew without any indication of their truthfulness.
So, what do we know about her?
Mary’s desperate state caught Jesus’ attention and he released her from seven demons (Luke 2). As a result, she became a devoted follower. We find her in multiple events that took place in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
Mary was a woman of means, who gave generously and took an active part in that ministry, following Jesus in his travels. However, in spite of the rumors, there’s no evidence to support the notion that she and Jesus were married.
We find her again, standing near the cross along with other women, as they pound nails through his body. After his death, she went to the tomb and stayed there after others had left. She continued to demonstrate love and care for him by joining with other women to bring spices to prepare his body for burial.
The most lengthy account of Mary is found in John chapter 20. The following is in paraphrase form. Even before sunrise, she is at the tomb. The stone had been rolled away. She runs to tell Peter and the other disciples; informing him that they had taken his body. Even more concerning, she doesn’t know where he’s been laid. Peter along with the ‘other disciple’ run to the tomb and find the empty linen cloths and the folded face cloth.
The disciples leave, but Mary stays. Through her tears, she bends down to look into the sepulcher and sees two angels. They ask why she’s crying. She responds, “. . . they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.” At that, she turns, sees Jesus, and mistakes him for the gardener. He calls her by name and she instantly recognizes him. He instructs her to go and tell “. . .my brethren. . .” that I [will] ascend unto my Father . . .”
The story continues with Jesus appearing to the disciples, breathes on them and they receive the Holy Ghost. They are given authority to remit or retain sins. Doubting Thomas reaches his hand into Jesus’ side and exclaims, “My Lord and my God.”
John goes on to confirm that Jesus did “. . .many other signs .. . in the presence of the disciples, which were not written in this book.” He ends the chapter with these words. “But these were written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that by believing ye might have life through his name.”
What can we learn from Mary and her interactions with Jesus?
Again, as we’ve seen throughout this series, Jesus tenderly meets the needs of the women he meets. When others would have recoiled in horror at a demon possessed woman, he reaches out and heals her. Mary demonstrates her love for Jesus in every way she could. She gave of her time and when others had left, she stayed. She stayed until she could stay no more.
