I HAVE A STORY TO TELL – Mary Magdalene

(As related by Rose Elgincolin)

My name is Mary Magdalene.  You would think Magdalene is my family name.  It came from the name of the city where I came from – Magdala.  Every time I am referred to in the bible, Magdalene is attached to my first name to distinguish me from the other Marys.  I am often mistaken as somebody else, like the prostitute brought to Jesus and the Mary who poured precious ointment at Jesus’ feet.  Anyway, let me tell you my earthly story.

I was a bondwoman to two masters – one to death, the other to life.  The first was involuntary, the second was my choice.  The former was captivity, the latter was liberty.

For who knows when they started to possess me, seven demons afflicted me physically, mentally and spiritually.  Imagine what havoc it caused my life!  I had no control of my thoughts, words and actions.  Sin, indeed, had its grip on me.

Until one day, my life was unshackled.  Jesus saw my pitiful situation and delivered me from satanic oppression.  I was healed but left to myself I didn’t know how to live free.  Restored with a sound mind, I chose to be in bondage to the One Who set me free.  I followed Jesus along with other women ministering to Him and His apostles with our substance, as they traveled from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God.

I have no regrets following Jesus for He has the words of life.  He had endless stories with heavenly wisdom.  I have heard Him talked about His authority from His Father.  I have seen Him perform miracles and forgiving sins, authenticating His authority.  He is indeed, Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One, the Son of God became man to fulfill the prophecies in the scriptures.  The more I follow Him, the more I love Him.  The more I love Him, the more I serve Him.  He has become the focus of my life.  Nothing is more precious to me than my Lord, Jesus.

His three years of earthly ministry came to an end when the religious leaders, envious of Him and intimidated by His authority, plotted to kill Him.  One of His disciples betrayed Him for thirty pieces of silver.  The same people who shouted on His triumphal entry to Jerusalem six days ago, ‘Hosanna!  Blessed is He Who comes in the Lord even the King of Israel.  Peace in heaven and glory in the highest’, were the ones who shouted, ‘Crucify Him’, before Pontius Pilate.  Peter denied Him thrice.  The other disciples dispersed except John the beloved whom Jesus endorsed His mother at the cross.  Jesus was tried unjustly, mocking Him as King of the Jews, yet He did not defend Himself.  He was scourged till His flesh ripped off and with His blood-stained body, I could no longer recognize Him.  He carried His cross to Golgotha where He was nailed on His hands and feet.  Suspended for hours on the cross, He took His last breath and gave up His spirit.  I know the details because I followed Him to His cross with Mary His mother and some faithful women who came up to Jerusalem from Galilee.

In great despair, I watched the lifeless body of Jesus taken down from the cross and buried at the tomb of Joseph from Arimathea.  The prophecy of Isaiah (53:9) was fulfilled:  ‘His grave was assigned with wicked men, yet He was with a rich man in His death’.

On the first day of the week, at early dawn, I came with other women to the tomb with spices to anoint the body of Jesus as was customary in our days.  We were appalled to see the large stone rolled away from the tomb.  The body of my Lord was gone!  Someone has taken His body!  So I ran and reported the matter to Peter and John.  Both ran to the tomb, John outrunning Peter.  Finding not the body of Jesus, they went back to their own homes.

I was left standing outside the tomb weeping.  As I wept, I stooped and looked into the tomb and I saw two angels, one at the head and one at the feet where the body of Jesus had been lying.  When I turned around, I saw Jesus Whom I mistook as the gardener.  I recognized Him when He called my name.  He knew me very well.  I cast myself to His feet so He won’t leave again but He told me not to touch Him.  He said He has not ascended to His Father yet.  Does He mean He will come again?  How can this be?  Will He send His Spirit to dwell with His believers?  I had no definite answers then.  Anyway, I followed what He commissioned me to do so I went to His disciples and announced to them how I’ve seen my Lord and He spoke to me.  They did not believe me.  Jesus later appeared to them that made a breakthrough in their lives for the advancement of His gospel regardless of persecutions.  Even His own brothers James and Jude became believers and pillars of early Christian churches.  James died defending his faith to His beloved Master – his half-brother, Jesus.  Such powerful effect of the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ brought about the rapid growth of Christianity.

What a thrill it was for me to see Jesus again – this time in His glorified body!  What an honor He conferred to me to be the first witness of His resurrection!  I wonder why me?  Why not His mother Mary… or the other women who saw Him also on their way to the disciples to bring glad tidings that Jesus has risen from the dead?  I am not worthy but I give Him the praise and the glory.  I was rewarded far above my expectation for following my Savior and Master from the day He set me free from bondage, through His ministry, His death, His burial and His resurrection.

Now I realized why Jesus had to suffer the rejection of His own people, His scourging, the carrying of the cross and finally the agony and death on the cross.  It was not only the religious leaders, the people who shouted for His crucifixion and the Roman soldiers who led Him to the cross, but because of my sin… your sin… the sin of all mankind.  His resurrection was the final victory for Him to set the captives free.

Friend, if you are still under the yoke of sin, come to Jesus.  He invites you to take up His yoke upon you and learn from Him for He is gentle and humble in heart.  Yes, you will surely find rest in your souls.  His yoke is easy and His burden is light.  He said these and He always fulfills His promises.

Once you are set from the bondage of your sin, you can choose to be in bondage to Christ – the only bondage you can live free!  Your wholehearted devotion to Christ is honorable and acceptable to Him.  I know… I have experienced it.  You will, too.  And you will be glad you did.  I’m waiting for you up here so you can also tell me your story.

(A biographical study in first person, researched and written by Rose Elgincolin… 4/10/2003)