Mary Magdalene

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Short Summary
The discourse explores the life and significance of Mary Magdalene, emphasizing her transformation from being possessed by seven demons to becoming a devoted servant of Jesus. It highlights her unwavering faith, courage in staying by Jesus during his crucifixion, patience in waiting at the tomb, and her unique role as the first witness of the resurrection. The lessons drawn from her virtues—gratitude, dedication, humility, and trust—serve as an example for believers to emulate.

Long Summary
Detailed Summary of the Discourse on Mary Magdalene

Introduction and Theme
– The discourse focuses on the biblical figure Mary Magdalene, exploring what the Bible tells about her, her actions, and the lessons her life offers.
– The central highlight is that Mary Magdalene was the first person to whom Jesus appeared after His resurrection, a pivotal event in Christian faith.

Lesson 1: Mary Magdalene as Servant of the Lord
– Mary Magdalene first appears in Luke 8:1-3, where she is described among women healed by Jesus, from whom seven demons had gone out.
– She is noted for her continuous and persevering service to Jesus, likely involving practical support such as cooking, sewing, and financial aid.
– Her service was motivated by deep gratitude for her healing and deliverance from demonic possession.
– The discourse emphasizes her role as a devoted servant, setting an example of faithful service.

Lesson 2: The Seven Spirits (Demons) of Mary Magdalene
– The possession by seven demons is a profound mystery. The Old Testament strictly forbids involvement with spirits (Leviticus 20:27).
– Biblical commentators suggest the prevalence of demonic possession was a sign of Satan’s opposition to Jesus’ mission.
– Demonic possession caused severe suffering, mental distress, social rejection, and isolation—Mary Magdalene’s healing was thus a dramatic liberation.
– Her transformation from a possessed outcast to a dedicated follower exemplifies gratitude and faith.
– The discourse clarifies that there is no biblical basis for labeling Mary Magdalene as a sinner or prostitute, a common but unfounded misconception.

Lesson 3: Courage to Stay by the Cross
– During Jesus’ crucifixion, most disciples fled or denied Him (e.g., Peter’s denial), but Mary Magdalene stayed near the cross (Matthew 27:55-56; John 19:25).
– She showed remarkable courage, standing near Jesus despite the hostile crowd and risk of persecution.
– The suffering of Jesus on the cross was excruciating and prolonged, with physical torment described in detail (nails, breathing difficulties).
– Mary Magdalene, along with other women, comforted Jesus’ mother and witnessed His death and burial (Mark 15:47).
– Her faithfulness at this moment of despair marks profound loyalty and love.

Lesson 4: Waiting Patiently at the Tomb
– Mary Magdalene and the other Mary waited by Jesus’ tomb after His burial (Matthew 27:61).
– They came early on the first day of the week to anoint His body with spices (Mark 16:1-2; John 20:1).
– Mary Magdalene was the first to find the tomb open and Jesus’ body missing, showing her attentiveness and faith.
– She immediately informed Peter and John, demonstrating humility and trust (John 20:2).
– Despite the empty tomb, the disciples initially did not understand or believe Jesus had risen (John 20:9).

Lesson 5: The Fantastic Event – Jesus’ Appearance to Mary Magdalene
– After the disciples left, Mary Magdalene remained alone, grieving (John 20:11-16).
– She encountered two angels in the tomb who asked why she wept.
– Then she saw Jesus, but initially mistook Him for the gardener.
– When Jesus called her by name (“Mary”), she recognized Him and exclaimed “Rabboni!” (meaning Teacher).
– Jesus instructed her not to touch Him yet, as He had not yet ascended to the Father, and gave her the mission to announce His resurrection to the disciples.
– Jesus addressed her as “my sister” and called the disciples “my brothers,” signaling a new spiritual family relationship.
– Mary Magdalene became the first witness and messenger of the Resurrection despite the disciples’ initial disbelief (Mark 16:10-11).

Summary of Virtues and Lessons from Mary Magdalene
– Mary Magdalene exemplifies many Christian virtues:
Gratitude for Jesus’ healing and salvation.
Consecration and Service to Jesus with perseverance.
Faith and trust in Jesus through hardship.
Courage to be present at the cross despite danger.
Humility in sharing news and serving others.
Comforting others in sorrow.
– She is a humble but extraordinary figure who did not preach or prophesy but served and loved Jesus faithfully.
– Her example encourages believers to cultivate similar virtues and faithfulness in their own lives.

Biblical Verses Quoted or Referenced
– Luke 8:1-3 (Mary Magdalene healed of seven demons and serving Jesus)
– Leviticus 20:27 (warning against witchcraft and divination)
– Matthew 8:28 (man possessed in the country of the Gadarenes)
– Mark 9:22 (father’s prayer for his demon-possessed son)
– Matthew 27:55-56; John 19:25 (women at the cross including Mary Magdalene)
– Mark 15:47 (Mary Magdalene at the burial)
– Matthew 27:61; Mark 16:1-2; John 20:1-2, 11-18 (events at the tomb and resurrection appearance)
– John 20:17 (Jesus’ words to Mary Magdalene after resurrection)
– Mark 16:10-11 (Mary Magdalene’s announcement and disciples’ disbelief)
– Matthew 16:21 (Jesus predicting His suffering, death, and resurrection)

—

Conclusion:
Mary Magdalene’s life demonstrates unwavering faith, humble service, bravery, and devotion. Her privileged role as the first witness of the Resurrection highlights her importance and sets a model of virtues that believers are called to emulate. Her story inspires perseverance, courage, and trust in God amid trials.

Amen.

Transcript

My discourse is entitled Mary Magdalene. We’ll study as best as we can the figure of this woman, what the Bible tells us about her, what she did, and we’ll try to draw some lessons.

First of all, what does Mary Magdalene evoke for us?

There are indeed many things to say. But if there were only one key event that I could mention, I would say that it is the first person to whom the Lord appeared after his resurrection. This event is important, and we will have the opportunity to consider it again. But first, let us better know this woman. I will call my first lesson Mary Magdalene, the servant of the Lord.

Mary Magdalene first appears in the Gospels when Jesus is on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. At the beginning of chapter eight of the Book of Luke, we read from the first verse.

It came to pass after this that he went through cities and towns preaching and declaring the kingdom of God, and the twelve were with him and certain women, many whom he had healed of evil spirits and of their infirmities, as well as Mary called Magdalene, from whom seven demons were gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s officer, and Susanna, and many others who served him out of their substance.

What did Jesus do so that this woman would be known for him? Luke tells us that this woman were cured of diseases and evil spirits, hence their gratitude of this woman for Jesus, that they not only serve him one day, one week, but from that moment on and with perseverance, and this is already a lesson for us, and among this woman was Mary Magdalene. We know now that she was a true servant.

Yes, servant of the Lord.

I will call my second lesson the seven spirits of Mary Magdalene. We can ask ourselves, why was this woman possessed by seven demons?

And it is a difficult question. Difficult because the Gospels tell us a lot about demons, while other verses of the Old Testament recommend specifically not to have anything to do with demons. I will quote Leviticus 20, verse 27. A man or a woman in whom there is a spirit of witchcraft or divination shall surely die the death. They shall stone them with stones, their blood shall be upon them.

This means that it is better not to find out how these demons were able to take possession of this woman, although so many people were possessed in the time of Jesus. So to try to find out more, it’s better to combine the opinions of various Bible commentators on this matter, which say roughly the if the number of people with demons was so great, it’s a sign that Satan tried to oppose, although in this way the work of our Lord during his mission. More than in other periods, then the one who was possessed was completely dependent. Let us imagine that our brain is no longer directed by us, but by another force that makes us say words and do things that we do not think and do not want. Let us imagine the stress of such a person who does not know when the possession of the brain will occur and what the consequences will be.

Let us also imagine how such a person was treated by others. As crazy, as possessed by the devil. But in any case, either hated or rejected by others. We do not want to see her. To meet her, this woman is a risk.

She forced to take refuge in humiliating places, like the example of a possessed person in the country of Galgenesus living in a cemetery. Remember in Matthew 8:28. Let us also imagine a younger possessed person. The difficult every day, the difficult everyday experience of parents like those whose possessed son was often thrown into the fire by the devil and whom the Lord Jesus healed. I quoted just the emotional prayer of the father in Mark 9, verse 22.

And the demon often threw him into the fire and into the into the water to destroy him. But if you can save us, have pity on us.

Having a disabled child with whom you deal all the time is a huge burden, and when it comes to a force that cannot be understood or controlled, the situation is even more dramatic.

Now can we imagine the happiness, the joy, the great feeling of gratitude that a person could feel when Jesus cast the demons out of him or her?

And so Mary Magdalene was healed by Jesus, as we are told of seven demons. She was not alone in this case, but she left everything and devoted herself to the service of the Lord, accompanying him wherever he went and doing some work for him, perhaps, I don’t know, cooking, sewing, and probably sacrificing the money she had.

Not only did she follow Jesus, but she was strongly attached to him, and the infinite gratitude she showed him could explain this.

Some people think that this woman was a sinner before, because the Gospel speaks of her immediately after the episode when the woman wiped the feet of Jesus, who forgave her sins. But there is no reason to assume that it is Mary Magdalene who is being discussed here, and this hypothesis is not certain.

Mary Magdalene, he’s not mentioned in the Gospels again until the patient evidence that she remained at the service of Jesus until then, and we can think that she humbly did the work for others, and especially for Jesus, in a life of trouble that very few of us would accept.

So what lesson can we learn from this dedication to Jesus that Mary Magdalene showed?

Jesus said several Times follow me, and the apostles, the disciples, and Mary Magdalene also stayed with him. This means that she is an example for us, because Jesus invitation also applies to us, and she answered yes to this invitation.

To this invitation.

Faithfulness is also a virtue that Mary Magdalene shows us, since she served him from her recovery until the end of his mission. But at the end of Jesus mission, Mary Magdalene will show us the depth of her love for Jesus. I will call the third lesson. Have courage to stay by the cross.

The moment came when the Lord gathered the twelve apostles to celebrate with them the last Passover, where a few days after his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, he allowed himself to be arrested, publicly accused, humiliated by the temple guards and by the Roman soldiers, and finally to be crucified outside the city.

What happens to the apostles during this most terrible moment of the Lord? Peter follows him for a moment, then denies him. Only John is near the cross. The others hide. I think we have to imagine what had in mind those who had the courage not to show crucify him, who followed him until Calvary, and who stayed near the cross.

What could they have thought?

That they had complete confidence in Jesus, in whom they saw the Savior of Israel, the one who. Who announced the kingdom of God, who was to solve all the problems, and now he’s humiliated, crucified, and he will die soon.

So when Jesus was on the cross at the moment of triumph of the Pharisees who remained faithful to the Lord near the cross, the Gospel tells us first in Matthew 27, verse 55 and 56, here were other women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him, among whom were Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of zebedee. John, chapter 19, verse 25, says that at one point this woman who were looking, looking on from a distance, came near the cross. I think it was not easy in the midst of a crowd of hostile and mocking Pharisees, to witness the crucifixion, to declare oneself friends of Jesus, when in the minds of all, Jesus is one who failed in his mission, who will never be King of Israel, and if one does not join the group of these triumphant mockers at that moment, one may also be arrested, put in prison, and even, like him, be condemned to death. So let’s think for a moment what these Pharisees could have said to this woman who wanted to approach the cross.

Well, it seems they are still supporters of the King of the Jews. Do you really want to see your king up Close. Do you still believe in him? But you really don’t understand anything. You don’t see that he’s a finished man who is crucified, that he will never do anything.

And in any case, you can burn about his kingdom of God. You see, he has always hated us, treated us as bad men and whitewashed Tom. But he will be in a whitewashed tomb in a few hours, and you better go home, and we can imagine even more aggressive words, evil, threatening ones.

It took a lot of courage to approach the cross and stay there.

To see the terrible image of the Lord. The Lord in whom they placed all their hopes. To see his humiliation and crucifixion and to hear the mockery of the Pharisees.

So this heroic woman who dared to approach the cross, who are they? Salome, the mother of John and James. Mary, the mother of Joseph and James, although called the second Mary and Mary Magdalene. All surrounding Mary, the mother of the Lord, apart from John. Where are the men?

They were not there.

And Mary Magdalene, like the other ones, stay near the cross. How to survive this moment?

To see the Master who had done so much for her, the master in whom she had placed her hope, tortured on the cross. To see.

To see his suffering, to hear his cries of pain, and the hours pass.

We cannot imagine how terrible it was. We know that a person hanging off the cross after a few minutes felt paralysis in his arms. Under the tension of the body scums, and then his lungs paralyzed. Also, in order to breathe, the person had to stand on the wound from the spike in his legs.

But the terrible pain caused that after a few seconds he cannot longer stand in this position and fell down again, hanging on the spice of his hands, until a new breath, and that was four, five times every minute. This torture on the cross was so cruel that until the last remaining strength, the person instinctively thought breath and was suffocating. This could last for several days.

The Pharisees were happy. But for those who were family members or friends of the victim, let us imagine what it means to be present at this torture. I think it is impossible to describe it with words. We are used to reading the story of Jesus death, which seems almost banner. So let us imagine having to watch for hours the suffering of someone who we love.

Do we have the strength? Or will we say, oh no, I can, I can. Do I, I can. I don’t want to see that. I think that during those endless hours of agony, when the crucified wished to die, to shorten his terrible suffering and death did not come, Mary Magdalene, like other women, suffered from helplessness and despair, trying to comfort Mary, the mother of Jesus, whose own sufferings prefer to not think about.

After the ninth hour, the Lord died after the body was taken off the cross. Either the family took care of of the burial, or he was buried like another criminal. We must also imagine the heartbreaking scenes of the family that may again touch the body, the preparation for burial, the timely assistance of Joseph or Arimathea, and the burial. In Mark 15, verse 47, we read, and Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was led. So Mary Magdalene remained from beginning to end and was present even when his body was led in the tomb.

Others went home discouraged. But Jesus saw, as we know, that there were people who dared to be near him, to be his comfort, and who were with him to the end, despite their sorrow, and with them Mary Magdalene.

I will call the fourth lesson. Waiting patiently. The two Marys remained at the tomb, as it says in Matthew 27:61, and there was Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, sitting over against the tomb. How long did they stay for?

What were they waiting for? Would Jesus come out? Well, yes, perhaps, because I QUOTE Matthew 16:21.

From that time forth began Jesus to unto his disciples. How that he must go into Jerusalem and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised again the third day. The Gospels do not tell us that others remained with the two Marys at the tomb at last, not the apostles who had also heard that Jesus would be condemned to death and rise again on the third day. Sometimes I say to myself, but it is still unbelievable that and it may surprise us, who at such a moment remembered the word of Jesus.

Then the two Marys returned home because of the Sabbath. Excuse me, but we know that Jesus was hastily burned because of the Passover, and on the third day after the Sabbath, the two marriage always the same, and Salome went to the tomb to anoint the body, as it is at least says in Mark 16:1 and 2, and when the Sabbath was passed, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome had boats with spices that they might come and anoint him.

And very early in the morning, the first day of the week, they came unto the tomb at the rising of the sun. In John 21 it is described differently. The first day of the week comes. The first day of the week comes Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark unto the tomb, and this the stones taken awake from the tomb.

We suppose in harmonizing the two Gospels that Mary Magdalene went there first, very early in the morning and was the first to see the absolutely amazing sight, and what did she see? The stone was taken away from the tomb. Mary must have been deeply surprised by this, and we are told in John 22 then she ran and comes to Simon Peter and to the other disciples whom Jesus loved.

And said unto them, they have taken away the road out of the tomb, and we we know not where they have led him. Again we are told of the disciples. Mary knew where they were hidden and hiding and immediately ran to announce the the unexpected thing that the body has disappeared. We know that they came to the tomb with her and saw the same thing that Mary Magdalene had seen a few minutes before.

One might think that it would finally remind them of the words of the Lord Jesus. But no, as we read in the gospel of John 29, for as yet they knew not the scripture that he must rise again from the dead. John and Peter came home. We see in the behavior of Mary Magdalene, not knowing at that moment what was going on, that she did not keep such important information for herself. But immediately when to inform the disciples.

That is a sign of her humility.

I will call the fifth event the fantasy fifth lesson. The fantastic event. The Gospel of John tells us that after Peter and John left, Mary Magdalene remained alone at the tomb. Outside, outside and wept. She is alone and she will experience an absolutely fantastic moment alone.

Something completely unbelievable in the history.

Let us try to mentally transport ourselves to the tomb. Looking mechanically into the depths of the cave, she sees two angels dressed in white sitting in the place where Jesus body was led, and this angel say to her, woman, why are you crying? And she answered them, because they have taken my Lord away and I don’t know where they have led him.

What could have happened in her head then she had heard that Jesus was to rise on the third day, as others had heard, and she had already shown her expectation by remaining near the tomb on the day of his death. But at that moment everything has already changed. There was no more stone and the tomb was empty. For her.

The fourth thought is that the war of the Lord continues. Not only has the Lord died, but someone has taken his body, which is a dramatic lack of respect.

Her despair continues because the words of the angels had not given her any answer. But at that moment she feels a presence behind her. She turns around and sees someone. It’s only a man, no longer an angel whom she takes for the gardener, and who ask her, woman, why are we weeping?

Who are you looking for? And she supposing it was a gardener, said to him, lord, if you have taken him, tell me where you have led him, and I will take Him. He speaks to her, but she still doesn’t recognize him.

The next seconds are an intense moment, full of emotion, a moment unique in history. One can only imagine it, each one how it feels. I think that the Lord, with a smile, with a familiar intonation, speaks to her. Mary, and finally she recognized him.

Raboony.

Now there are no longer tears of sadness, but of joy. Because this tragedy is over. Because her Lord is truly alive. He has reason as he promised, and Mary has a normal instinctive reflex to go to Jesus, to kiss him or throw herself at his feet.

Let us imagine her joy. Jesus died, and here he lives again, and it is he who shows himself for the first time as a resurrected being in a human body. Jesus, interestingly, stops there saying, touch me not, for I am not yet ascended to my Father, but God to my brethren, and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God. What does this incredible sentence mean?

Of course, the resurrected Jesus, before going to the Father, spent his time on earth in a different way and wanted to mark the difference between what he was before and what he is now. When he will be with the Father, Mary Magdalene will be able to pray to God through him and thus give him worship. But now, as soon as she saw him, the Lord gave her a mission to warn the disciples, and for the first time he used the word, my brothers, it’s no longer disciples or friends. What is a big encouragement from them.

And Mary Magdalene, the first to see him, is of course also the first to be called sister by the Lord Jesus, and Mary, being obedient to the commandment of Jesus, I quote, went and told them that had been with him, and they mourn and wept, and they, when they had heard that he was alive and had been seen of her, believed not as the Gospel of Mark tells us in chapter 16, verse 10 and 11. Although they did not believe her, she became a comfort, as the Holy Scriptures recommends it to us.

But the wonderful lesson for me is that the Lord Jesus did not appear first to the disciples, not even to John, who remained near the cross, nor to anyone else, but to his humble servant, namely Mary Magdalene. I am personally deeply convinced that Lord, by the exceptional honor he did her, by showing Himself to her first, rewarded already on earth the courage of this woman who dared to be close to him so long when he gave his life to redeem mankind.

To sum up. What lesson can we learn from Mary Magdalene? What virtues did we see in her? Gratitude to the Lord, consecration to the Lord, service following him, Faith in the Lord, trust in the Lord, great courage, comfort to others, humility, many fruits of the Spirit just in this woman.

Are these not the virtues that the Lord expects of us? She is one of those not very, not well known, not very well known figures of the presence of the Lord on earth. She did not write any letter. She did not say any single philosophical word. She did not prophesize.

She served the Lord. She listened to him, was a condolence for Him. She showed faith and courage that the Lord has already rewarded as we have seen forever. Her name is written in the Bible and is a great example for us. Brethren, let us have more and more of the virtues that our sister Mary Magdalene had.

Amen.

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