Mary Magdalene has become famous. All we know based on her name is that she came from Magdala, a city on the Sea of Galilee, and that Jesus drove seven demons from her. Having been healed by him, she dedicated her life to Jesus.
9 When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons.
The Gospels, which focus on Jesus’ 12 disciples, also mention that a good-sized group of women left their homes and families to follow Jesus. Mary Magdalene heads the list of the women who helped finance his ministry.
55 Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
When Jesus was crucified in Jerusalem, far from his home in Galilee, Mary Magdalene stayed near him. She carefully observed where he was buried and faithfully went there at the earliest opportunity to care for his body. As a result, she was the first person to see Jesus risen from the dead and the first to spread the word.
18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.
Women in that time were usually given second place, if any place at all. Jewish courts did not even accept their testimony. At the great miracle of Jesus’ resurrection, however, Mary Magdalene had the honor of being the first witness on the scene.
Have you been able to witness God’s work? Where and how?
