The story of Magdalene is about a life
restored to relationship and purpose.
Mary Magdalene (original Greek
Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνή), or Mary of Magdala, was
one of Jesus' most celebrated disciples, and the most important
female disciple in the movement of Jesus. Jesus cleansed her of
"seven demons", [Lu 8:2]
[Mk 16:9]
She became Jesus' close friend and most prominent during his last
days, being present at the cross after the male disciples (excepting
John the
Beloved) had fled, and at his burial. She was the first person to
see Jesus after his
Resurrection,
according to both John
20 and Mark 16:9
Mary has been used by various groups
historically to their own ends.
The two pictures of Mary Magdelene –
the Holy Saint – The Prostitute
The Roman western church in around 550
AD – following papal teaching identified Mary with the woman of ill
repute (with no direct proof) and said that the 7 demons represented
the 7 deadly sins which meant that she was a prostitute whom Jesus
had saved. She is depicted with loose, red died, hair – often in a
state of lascivious undress in many classical paintings. She is the
image of the reformed sinner. Of course this also works as a
misogynistic interpretation of discipleship – she was unsuitable to
be in any position of authority, especially over men.
The Gnostic unorthodox teachings of
200-300 AD that spun off the gospel used her in another way. They
presented her as a great spiritual leader who, in contrast to the
bickering and self-seeking men, was able to receive direct secret
messages from the risen Lord to instruct the apostles. The
subservience of women in the Hebrew culture was thrown off in such
groups. Those western traditions of female gods and priestesses –
often with a sexualised spirituality, have produced a convenient hook
for the neo-gnostics to exploit.
None of this is present in the Gospels
of course. 2
Timothy 4:3 “For the time
will come when people will not put up with sound
doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires,
they will gather round them a great number of teachers to say what
their itching ears want to hear.”
In the Gospel this is a much more
personal story. This word “Mary” is the powerful catalyst for the
breakthrough of the resurrection in this story. Its a story about...
- Failing to recognize the risen Jesus:
- Mary's devotion:how personal?
- Absorption in grief:makes her unable to see resurrection life
- Fixed expectation:things presumed impossible are hard to perceive
- Jesus calls her name.
- Name: Jesus knows I'm here – my situation. - your situation
- Name: Jesus knows my story – my state and why – your story
- Name: Jesus accepts me: “My Father and Your Father” - you
- The light dawns on Magdalene:
- Recognition: the presence of the living Jesus is experienced personally.
- Grasping: its all about “me”- I want to hold on to this.
- Sending: she is sent on duty to the others
It doesn't matter to Jesus
if you are male or female, old or young, slave or free. Jew or
gentile, saint or sinner. What matters is that you grasp that He
knows you – accepts you – calls you. And that you respond in
faith and obedience.
