Mary Magdalene "Bitterness"

Brenda Kelley

Mary Magdalene

Mary Magdalene is distinguished from all the others of the same name by her place of birth. Just as Jesus was called the Nazarene because of his association with Nazareth.

Magdala means tower or castle and in the time of Christ was thriving. Magdala was a town of Galilee about three miles from Capernaum. Dye works and textile factories added to the wealth of the community. It may be that Mary Magdalene was connected to the industry of the town, to serve the Lord with her substance.

Mary Magdalene was free to follow Jesus in his journeying which suggest that she had no home obligations. There is no record of Mary's parentage, her marital status or her age. There is controversy around if Magdalene was a sinful woman, but the bible depicts Mary as a deeply afflicted woman before she met Jesus.

Mary Magdalene was accused of many things such as a courtesan with paintings of her as a

female. She was also named the woman taken in adultery, but after her liberation from demonic influence she appeared to be one of the most faithful and beautiful characters in the Bible. Mary was only a sinner in the sense that we all are, having been born in sin and shaped in iniquity.

"All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Having sought to relieve Mary's name from foul stigma let's now outline her career. She is mentioned fourteen times in the gospels, and from references to her we can see clearly what she did and how she did it.

Mary always came out at the front in service rendered by Godly females. In the five times where mentioned alone, the connection is with the death and resurrection of Christ.(Mark 16:9; John 11,16,18). In one instance her name comes after the mother of Jesus and the aunt of Jesus. She's close by the cross with these women, but because of their relationship to Jesus it would not be appropriate to put her name before theirs (John 19:25). No woman superseded Mary in her utter devotion to Jesus.

Although Mary was a woman in high standing, she suffered from periodic insanity, and was afflicted with nervousness. She may have been the victim of violent epilepsy. According to the readings when the evil spirits dominated Mary the suffering was extreme. Her demonic possession did not affect her morals, only her mind. Mary was referred to as having seven demons, but what really hit home for me as I researched her was that the moment Jesus' 

compassionate eyes saw the wild ­eyed, cringing woman of Magdala, he saw in her the ministering angel who would be a blessing to his own heart and to others. 

Jesus commanded the tormenting demons to come out and stay out of her. Immediately her sanity returned and she was whole. Mary then became a true disciple, freed from satanic bondage Mary harnessed to the Lord, aiding wherever needed. Mary was deeply grateful for her physical and mental healing. 

Mary leaves her home in Magdala to follow Jesus. Mary helped Jesus evangelize as she willingly gave her substance to help meet his needs. Mary was dedicated to Jesus and followed him to the cross and she wept with the other women with loving lips and hands pressing against the bleeding feet of Jesus. She was last at the cross where Jesus died and also the first at the garden tomb to witness the Resurrection, what a great honor! She was at the tomb early that Resurrection morning when she looked into the cave to find it empty. Mary would be the first to see Jesus and carry the good news that Jesus was alive!

Bible references: Matthew 27:56,61; 28:1; Mark 15:40, 47; 16:1-19; Luke 8:2; 24:10; John 19:25; 20:1-18

© 2016 by Brenda Kelley. All Rights Reserved.