Love Wins

 January 21, 2023

Mary Magdalene is mentioned in all four Gospels as the first to visit the tomb where Jesus had been buried. She’s highlighted in John 20 in a detailed conversation she unknowingly has with the risen Christ, and is the only one mentioned by name in all four accounts. This is very unusual, in that (as I recall) the only other incident included in all four Gospels is the feeding of the five thousand. This makes it significant.

Three days earlier, Mary is found at the foot of the cross, watching in agony as Jesus dies, but other than that, the only mention of her is found in Luke 8 where she is one from whom Jesus cast out seven demons. In that context, she is seen as one of the women who bankrolled Jesus’ ministry, apparently out of gratitude for having been delivered from demonic oppression (see Luke 8:1-3).

Immediately prior to the mention of these women who were following Jesus, is the incident of the woman who crashed the party at Simon’s house, anointing Jesus’ feet, washing them with her tears, and drying them with her hair. Though there can be no certainty about this, the fact that Mary is mentioned by name immediately following as one from whom Jesus cast out seven demons is at least suggestive of her being the unnamed woman in the preceding chapter. Was she that mysterious woman? We may never know, but it is an interesting thought.

If my suggestion is true, this raises an interesting point: Nothing is ever said about Mary accomplishing anything. Forgiven and delivered, she simply loved gratefully. The one thing she offered to do was denied her; there was no body to be carried away from the garden that first Easter morning (see John 20). All she could do, she did do—she ran and told the others that she had met the risen Christ. For this, she gets top billing, a lesson for all over- and under-achievers. Grace is offered, gratitude ensues, and love wins.