Last at the Cross, First at the Grave
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Mary Magdalene's devotion to Christ, is one of the most beautiful stories in the Gospels. Tradition has branded her as a great sinner—but there is really nothing in the New Testament to prove that the tradition is true. It is said that Jesus had cast seven demons out of her—but demoniac possession is not identified in the Gospels with immorality. It is enough to know of Mary, that the love of Christ saved her. When she saw Him in His divine purity and when His holy eye looked into her heart—her old self perished—and a new woman, without spot, arose in her.
A wonderful devotion to her new Master now possessed her. A great Moravian missionary used to say, referring to Christ, "I have only one passion—and that is Jesus." So it was with Mary of Magdala. Whatever form of evil it was that had absorbed her life before Jesus found her—she was now utterly possessed, body, mind and soul, by her passion for Christ! In all the New Testament, there is no finer example of the consecration of a life to Christ.
During the crucifixion, Mary was among the holy women who stood beholding in love's marvellous devotion. Perhaps she was present when Joseph and Nicodemus took down the body of Jesus from the cross, washed it, wrapped it in spices, and laid it to rest in the clean, new tomb, cut in the rock. When the other friends went away from the garden—the record shows us this picture of devotion: "Mary Magdalene was there, facing the tomb." Her devotion was matchless in its depth and in its intensity.
What was its secret? It was in her mighty love. But why did she love so much? Why did her holy passion for her Master so far exceed that of His other friends who loved Him too, with unquestioned loyalty and devotion? It was because she had such a distinct realization of what she owed to Him. Many people know they have been redeemed—but seem to have only the faintest conception of the meaning of their redemption. Mary understood with unusual clearness—what Christ had done for her, and her whole soul went out to Him in adoring love!
Mary's devotion to Christ continued to show itself after His death. She had no expectation that He would rise again—but she sought to honour His dead body. Her love was rewarded—by being the first to whom He showed Himself alive, and the first to carry the news of the resurrection to the disciples!
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