They call me Mary Magdalene

Reading the beautiful Easter story, I found myself being drawn to the heart of Mary Magdalene. Her love and devotion for Jesus was steadfast and true. This story is a glimpse into her heart, and how she witnessed the glorious resurrection of our Savior.

As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. (Matthew 27:57-60)

They call me Mary Magdalene.
My Lord called me Mary.
I call myself broken.
My heart is shattered, and my soul is so weary. I don't know when I have felt more
despair; my life before Jesus cast out the seven agonizing demons, or my life now
without my Lord.

It is taking every ounce of what remains inside of me to prepare these spices and perfume. The tears will not stop flowing down my face because I see the broken, lifeless body of my Lord. After His body was taken down from that wretched cross, Joseph laid Jesus in the tomb. It is so dark, cold, hard, lifeless, and final. The smell of the damp earth is still poignant in my mind. My King shouldn't be there! He deserves better! He deserves life! I am so angry and heartbroken. When the stone was rolled in front of the entrance to the tomb, I just sat there, I was completely empty. It is over. My Lord said it Himself; "It is finished".

The Sabbath has now passed, and the sun is rising. Mary and Salome are here, and I see they, too, have not slept. The spices have been prepared so that we might go to anoint our Lord's body.

I love Him so much, that I cannot bear to live without Him! Even in His death, I must be in His presence. He knew my very heart. I adored Him! If only I could have one more day with Him alive, I would tell Him again, and again, how much I love and honor Him.

Who will roll the stone away from the entrance to this tomb? I do not know, but I am going anyway. I cannot stay home in this despair. I must show my devotion to Him. Yes, I must go and be near Him.

Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put Him!"

I am in utter disbelief! My Lord's body is truly gone! Do something! Hurry! What if we cannot find Him? I am trembling all over! I can hardly get the words out for weeping!"

So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)

Then the disciples went back to their homes.

John and Peter ran back to tell the others! I simply cannot believe that His body is gone! My tears have not dried. I am exhausted from weeping. I must see for myself, though. Give me courage, God, to look inside the tomb.

She saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head, and the other at the foot.

They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?"

Frightened and full of sorrow, Mary bowed down with her face to the ground and through her tears, she replied, "They have taken my Lord away and I don't know where they have put Him".

At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize it was Jesus.

Oh maybe this man saw them. Surely, being the gardener, he would have seen something! Please! Please! Help me!

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him".

Just lead me to Him, and then this burden will be lifted! I must know! Even in His death, I must touch Him. He needs to be laid to rest. I cannot go on not knowing where He is! Help me find Him, God

Who said that?!
Who called my name?
Could it be?
I'm afraid to turn around!
Oh, please, let it be!

Jesus said to her, "Mary."

She turned toward Him and cried out, "Rabboni! Teacher!"

Praise God! My Lord is risen! Everything He said is true! He is glorious, without blemish. There is no longer a beaten, broken body. Collapsing at His feet, Mary sees where the nails once were. Glory be to God! My heart is about to burst with joy! The Son of God has risen from the dead. The grave could not hold Him down! I love you, Lord! I love you, Lord!

As Mary Magdalene worshipped the risen King, weeping for joy, and clutching His feet, she heard the Son of Man say, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, "I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God."

Praise God! He is alive!

Shaken and overjoyed, Mary Magdalene ran with all of her might. She was devoted to Jesus and loved Him with all of her heart and soul. The Son of God did indeed know her very heart, so He chose Mary, out of everyone, to be the very first person to see Him alive. Glory be to God!

Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that He had said these things to her.

     Alison