Mary Magdalene (Illustration by Joel Spector, 2005)
Those who knew Mary, the deranged demoniac, would never have imagined her becoming one of Jesus' strongest followers. Her life demonstrates how much Jesus makes of broken lives. Mary Magdalene shows us the vital responsibilities Jesus places on women's shoulders and how crucial we are to his church.
Read: Luke 8:1-3; Matthew 27:55-61; 28:1-10; Mark 15:40-47; 16:1-11; Luke 24:1-12; John 19:25; 20:1-18
Something to ponder…
1. Why do you think the past has such a strong hold on us, even though we are certain of our forgiveness in Christ? Why is it so hard to forgive ourselves?
2. What made it so unlikely that Mary Magdalene would become such a significant leader among the followers of Jesus?
3. What do Jesus' interactions with Mary tell us about Jesus' view of women? Why is it significant that Jesus had both men and women among his followers? Why did they need each other?
4. Jesus clearly chose Mary to be the first to see him after his resurrection. Why was his choice of Mary so significant?
5. How does Mary's story teach us that we are messengers to others of the gospel of Jesus Christ - the good news that Jesus has defeated the Enemy without and the enemy within - that we follow a living Saviour?
Can't remember how to take part? Here's a reminder.
Catch up on the conversation so far here.
3 comments:
I am so encouraged by this chapter, and on several different levels... Firstly, the reminder that God pursues us even when we go out of our way to avoid him - and that he makes something beautiful out of ugliness and chaos.
Secondly, this chapter echoes the first chapter (on Eve) in establishing just how liberating God's plan for women is! We may be crippled by our past but God is certainly not limited by it. What a Saviour!
I agree Sheela. I was so encouraged by the fact that God not only encourages women to be a part of His work but pursues them in order to use their faith, loyalty and gifts. And to know that as in Mary's case, this faith and loyalty grow out of the life changing effect God's love has on us. And the message comes across again as with Eve and right through the old testament, women are vital to God's work whatever their context or status.
The words for me after reading this chapter are "redemption" and "liberation". In a culture (or cultures) where women are marginalized, Jesus has again broken the norm - he treated them with respect and compassion - not second class citizen.
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