“I Have Seen the Lord!”

THE story of Mary Magdalene begins with a shift from terror to joy. The Bible says that “seven demons had come out” of her. No doubt it was Christ Jesus who had freed her from that nightmare. So she decided to use her freedom by courageously following Jesus and offering him any support she could.

She called her beloved Lord Rabboni, a term of deep respect meaning “Teacher.” This man, along with his 12 apostles, traveled throughout the region to teach people about the Kingdom of God. Mary saw that they had left their secular work behind in order to devote all their energy to this vital work. How could she help?

Mary was one of several women “who were ministering to them from their belongings.” These women provided financial support to Jesus and his apostles. In all, there may have been 20 or so disciples, male and female, who “traveled from city to city and from village to village.” In that culture, it was surely unusual for women to accompany a religious teacher, and they may have been criticized for being different. But for Mary and her companions, the privilege was worth any sacrifice. They had the courage to support Jesus despite what others thought of them.

Mary must have been heartbroken when Jesus was arrested on Passover night in Jerusalem, wrongly convicted of blasphemy, and condemned to die on a torture stake. But she never lost her courage. She accompanied other faithful women, including Jesus’ own mother, to the site of his execution and, together with them, showed Jesus love, support, and loyalty. Even in his worst agony, he could still see those faithful women. They were witnesses of Jesus’ integrity as he finished all that his Father had sent him to do. Mary was there as he drew his last breath.

Those brave women mourned openly for Jesus, without regard for what Roman and Jewish authorities might think. And Mary Magdalene was resolved to do one more thing for her beloved Lord​—to care further for his dead body. In the hot climate of Judea, decomposition would start rapidly. To prevent the stench of decay from distracting mourners, it was customary to apply fragrant oils and spices to a body before burial. Mary took the additional step of doing so after Jesus was buried. As soon as the Sabbath was over, she and some other women purchased the necessary materials, and early in the morning, they went to the grave to tend to Jesus’ body.

Mary may have arrived at the tomb first, and she was shocked to find it open​—and empty! She ran to tell Peter and John. By the time she returned, the other women were gone. Mary stooped forward to look into the tomb and “saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying.” After exchanging a few words with them, she turned around and saw a man whom she mistook for a gardener. “Woman, why are you weeping?” he asked. She inquired where Jesus’ body was, adding: “Sir, if you have carried him off, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Mary did not pause to wonder whether she could actually lift and carry the weight of a grown man. She only knew that she must do what she could.

As she turned away sadly, that man said one word: “Mary!” She knew that voice. “Rabboni!” she cried and embraced him. Jesus did not let her keep clinging to him. He had a vital assignment for her: “Go to my brothers.” Jesus entrusted her to convey to his apostles the most important of news​—their Lord was resurrected! She went right away. At first, the men did not believe her. “These sayings seemed like nonsense to them,” we read. But that did not stop Mary Magdalene. Nor did anything else. She surely kept sharing that good news from then on, ever courageous.

Read the Bible account:

• Matthew 27:55, 56

• Mark 16:1, 2

• Luke 8:1-3; 24:1-11

• John 19:25; 20:1, 2, 11-18

For discussion:

In what ways did Mary Magdalene show courage?

Dig Deeper

1. 1. In what ways may Mary Magdalene and other women have supported Jesus and his apostles? (ijwia article 6 ¶5-6) A

   Your answer

   

2. 2. Why did Mary not at first recognize the resurrected Jesus? (ijwia article 6 ¶16)

   Your answer

3. 3. Why did Jesus tell Mary Magdalene to stop clinging to him? (w08 4/15 32 ¶6)

   Your answer

4. 4. The apostles thought that Mary Magdalene’s report of Jesus’ resurrection was “like nonsense.” What view of women may have led them to react that way? (Luke 24:11; w12 9/1 10 ¶4-5)

   Your answer

Reflect on the Lessons

• Mary Magdalene performed humble work in behalf of others. How can we imitate her? B

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• How can we imitate Mary Magdalene when others fail to believe or appreciate the Scriptural message we preach? (Luke 24:10, 11)

  Your answer

• How might you imitate the courage of Mary Magdalene?

  Your answer

Meditate on the Bigger Picture

• What does this account teach me about Jehovah?

  Your answer

• How does the account tie in with Jehovah’s purposes?

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• Why are you thankful that Mary Magdalene was likely chosen to rule with Christ in heaven?

  Your answer

Learn More

Compare some of the myths regarding Mary Magdalene with the facts related in the Bible.

“Who Was Mary Magdalene?” (ijwbq article 172)

How did Jesus’ dealings with Mary Magdalene and others set an example of how women should be treated?

“Christian Women Deserve Honor and Respect” (w95 7/15 15-18 ¶3-8)