Read those few passages first- https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2020&version=NIV
We’re looking at Mary Magdalene at my church this week and I thought maybe I’d blog about it to get my thoughts down. Mary Magdalene has gotten a bad wrap for a long time. Thought to have been a prostitute or had an illicit relationship with Jesus or perhaps she married him and had kids. None of that is in the Bible but I guess it makes a fun story if you want to stir the pot and make people angry.
We do know Jesus healed her of demons and that she was around with the disciples, likely in the inner circle, but most importantly she’s at both the crucifixion and the resurrection.
This small point didn’t occur to me until later. She comes before the disciples with the spice girls- tells the guys about what’s going on- then comes back with Peter and John. She cries. She sits. She waits.
And what happens?
Jesus shows up.
Wait for the Lord! That’s the theme for most of the Bible. Mary does this and she is rewarded. It’s good to sit and cry in your grief. It’s ok not to gloss over things and sit and stew. Jesus shows up in grief and in waiting. He calls Mary by name and He does the same for you and I. Mary responds by calling out- “Teacher.” Mary is the first Jesus appears to. He reassures her that it’s him and to tell the others.
If Jesus has shown up to you in your grief- tell others. Cry with others who cry but know that some day Jesus will show up and take away all our tears.
Marking It Up 