Dawn was breaking after the darkest of days.
Their teacher, their friend, and the one they loved had been crucified. Their world was shattered and they lost all hope. Their Messiah was gone. They saw his body taken from the cross and laid in the tomb.
The one they loved was taken from them.
This woman who had followed Jesus’s teaching would be the one who would prepare His body in the tomb with spices and oils. She had witnessed His death. She saw his body laid in the tomb.
Yet, this was not the end. Death was not the end.
“As his body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw the tomb where his body was placed. Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to anoint his body. But by the time they were finished the Sabbath had begun, so they rested as required by the law.” Luke 23:55-56
Mary Magdalene and a few other women arrived at the tomb to prepare Jesus’ body after burial, but they came to a frightening site. The stone was rolled away and Jesus’ body was gone. Questions, and fears, were racing in her mind of what happened to her Lord.
Yet she was not alone. At the tomb there was an angel of the Lord and he said this to them:
“The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” Matthew 28:5-6
Mary Magdalene was a woman weighed by spiritual darkness and demons that had robbed her of her life. Jesus redeemed her life and set her free. She followed Jesus, walked with Jesus, and now God chose her to be the one to share this news.
In a time where a woman’s testimony did not have value or worth, where it would be doubted and questioned, God chose Mary Magdalene to be the first evangelist of the Good News.
And then she sees her Lord. She doesn’t recognize Him at first, but then He calls her by name:
“Jesus said to her: MARY.” (John 20:16)
And that's when she knew it was Him. She knew it was Jesus because of His love for her.
He had called her by name and commissioned her to tell of this good news. That Jesus had defeated death and He is ALIVE.
Mary, a woman, who in society's eyes was not seen worthy to have such a call, was called by the King of Kings to go and tell His disciples: JESUS IS ALIVE. (John 20:16-18)
This is love.
Jesus would fulfill the will and promises of the Father so we could have a relationship with Him. He found Mary worthy of the call which she obeyed and shared with confidence and authority that Jesus has risen from the dead.
“Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord” - and that he had said these things to her.” John 20:18
Worthy is the Lamb who has taken the sins of the world!
Worthy is He who has defeated death and has given us new life!
It is because of Jesus we are seen worthy of the highest of callings: to share the good news of Jesus Christ.
This is love.
~ Sarah Sendejas