The Women of the Resurrection
If you read You Are The Girl For The Job, you might remember I’m obsessed with Mary Magdalene.
If you haven’t heard or need a refresher: here’s why.
Here’s what we know about her:
She was somehow independently wealthy, probably because she was born into wealth, and she helped fund Jesus’ earthly ministry.
Her and a group of women traveled with Jesus and His disciples, not only paying their way, but also gleaning from His teachings and doing ministry alongside Him.
She’s mentioned twelve times in the gospels, which may not seem like a lot, but it’s more than most of Jesus’ main twelve disciples are personally referenced.
And she was present on the morning of Jesus’ resurrection - not just present, but the very first person He chose to reveal His resurrected body to. Peter and John had already been at the tomb and had left, so there seems to be some intention in telling - rather, letting Mary SEE the good news first.
But what else do we know about her? This is the part that always gets me…
The first time Mary is referenced in scripture is in Luke 8, and it’s not necessarily as triumph as Jesus’ big reveal in John 20. Here’s what it says:
After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. Luke 8:1-3
Mary Magdalene. Friend of Jesus. Intimate support of His ministry. Apostle to the apostles. First human to see the resurrected Jesus and first to tell the Good News of all His claims and promises being made true.
What kind of woman gets that kind of privilege in the kingdom of God?
One who’d had seven demons cast out of her.
Maybe we need a quick shake of our heads to remember that when the transformative power of Jesus Christ meets painfully dark and heavy brokenness - He doesn’t just slightly clean it up. He doesn’t do a tidying work. He doesn’t make it acceptable and sweep the grossest stuff under the rug. And He never, ever looks past brokenness to play with the more manageable kids on the playground.
The women of the resurrection, the ones called to take the good news that Jesus is who He says He is: they’re broken women, like you and me, who need Jesus.
Your past does not disqualify you from present abundance or future ministry.
Is that some good news or what?
Listen to more about women of the resurrection + my thoughts on John 20 this episode of the Go + Tell Gals podcast.
Grace + peace to you my friends
PS: If you’ve been following my goal updates, you’ll see one major March/April goal accomplished here!
