Resolute Pursuit - Mary Magdalene

image credit: www.pinterest.com

Somewhere in the past Mary Magdalene was given a bad reputation - not by the Bible, but by man.  It was well known that Magdala, where Mary was from, had an "unsavory reputation" due to the "harlotry practiced there," and was eventually destroyed.  And that fact alone left many to conclude that Mary herself was a harlot.  However, the Bible never once mentions that her past included prostitution.

She was not without her demons though - seven demons actually.  And demon possessed is how Mary first encountered Jesus.

I'm not big into scary movies, but in high school I ran with a group that either loved scary movies or the entertainment I provided while watching said movies.  And I saw enough of Hollywood's take on demon possession to know that it's probably a scary deal with one demon - and I cannot even begin to imagine what seven would do to a person.

We are not actually told how the seven demons manifested themselves in Mary's life - was she wild-eyed and irrational, foaming at the mouth and shrieking?  Or was it more subtle and only Jesus knew because He was God?

We don't know.  But we do know that after her liberation from these demons, she showed a devotion to her Savior unlike most - including even His own disciples.

She walked alongside Him in His ministry, supporting Jesus financially - did you know that???  Being from Magdala had other perks like their wealthy commerce!

She followed Him whole-heartedly.

She did not betray Him or deny Him.

When most of the disciples abandoned Jesus, hiding in fear, Mary was at His blood stained feet.

She was one of the last to leave the cross - one of the few to watch His bloodied and broken body laid in the tomb - one of the first to head back to His grave.

And Mary Magdalene was chosen as one of the first Jesus revealed Himself to after He had risen!

Mary had been a tormented woman that Jesus restored and healed and saved.  He may have sought her in her suffering, but she in turn spent the rest of her life seeking Him!

Mary Magdalene was resolute in her pursuit of the One who saved her.  My prayer is that we would be encouraged by her courage and strength to boldly seek our Savior!


Source: Bible Gateway


You can read more about Mary Magdalene's story at She Reads Truth.  Also read Luke 8:1 - 3; Mark 15:37 - 47; John 20:1 -18; Mark 16:1 - 11.