John 20:11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
As soon as Jesus said her name, Mary knew who was right in front of her. I can’t begin to imagine the shock, the awe of this encounter. To have witnessed the horrid crucifixion of Jesus and then see him alive? Wow!
Mary Magdalene is a fascinating figure in Biblical history. According to the gospels of Mark and Luke, she was possessed by seven demons which Jesus cast out. I grew up believing that Mary was also a prostitute, but according to The Bart Ehrman Blog: The History and Literature of Early Christianity, this reputation of Mary is unfounded. There is no historical proof that Mary Magdalene was ever a prostitute. She appears, however, as a woman possibly troubled by mental health issues or physical issues that garnered her demonic reputation.
Whatever her issues, once she was healed by Jesus, she was “all in” and became part of an inner circle that supported his ministry. She was there to the end, as a witness to his crucifixion – and was also there at the beginning of the Christian movement, with the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. I wish we knew more of what happened to Mary after her encounter with Jesus at the empty tomb. How did she live out the remaining years of her life? I can only imagine that Mary continued her ministry to others as a follower of Jesus.
As we enter Holy Week, may we all pause to encounter Jesus in our own personal way. Beyond the family gatherings and celebrations, I pray for those sacred moments where the reason for Easter becomes clear, where we have our own personal encounter with Jesus.
Blessings to you as we enter this sacred week!
Diana
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