A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                      HE KNEW HER BY NAME PART VII 

"I, Mary Magdalene, had told Peter and John about the empty tomb... They came right away to see for themselves.... They saw that I was right... There was no stone in front of the tomb.... And there was no Body inside the tomb.... They noticed as well the strips of linen and burial cloth all neatly folded up.... I don't think they knew what to make of it.... Having looked around they decided there was nothing they could do... So they left for home... But I cannot go back home.... I cannot leave the place where Jesus has been buried.... He is everything to me.... He has given me dignity... That is why I have followed Him despite the fact that it is unheard of in my society for women to leave their homes...And I cannot leave Him now even in His death.... I don't know what to do without Him."... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Mary Magdalene cannot leave Jesus' tomb....

                ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                          HE KNEW HER BY NAME PART VII

But what about Mary Magdalene? Does she go back home too? No, for Mary Magdalene cannot leace the place where she knows the Body of her Lord and Master has been laid to rest. He was and is everything to her for He had set her free as you can read in Luke 8:1-3

After this time Jesus travelled 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 7 demons had been cast out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod's household; Suzanna and many others. These women were helping to support them of their own means.

Jesus had done for Mary Magdalene what no other man had ever been able to do for her, including the Religious Leaders: He had set her free from a number of demons. We do not know how long these demons had afflicted her nor do we know the manner in which they bothered her. But we do know that which is most important: she was delivered from these demons. The fact that this is specifically mentioned may well mean that it had been a significant event in the ministry of Jesus and it most certainly was a significant event in the life of Mary Magdalene. It seems very likely that she had been to many of the Religious Leaders to ask them for help in her predicament but no one had been able to do anything for her.Then Jesus appeared on the scene and He had been able to do what no one else had been able to do for her: He had set her free fom her demonic oppression. That would have filled her with great joy and gratitiude for it was only then that she was able to live the life God always intended for her. She was determined that no family member, friend or neighbour would prevent her from doing so. She was going to follow her Lord and Saviour no matter where He would lead her.Consequently, she became a disciple of Him, following Him everywhere He went. Her new lifestyle would have gone against the rules for women in Jewish society for in Jewish society women's lives were regulated by Rabbinical teachings. These teachings restricted the lives of women to their homes and forbade women to study the Word of God. But Mary Magdalene had met Jesus and He had completely transformed her life. This had given her the courage to put aside many of the restrictions Jewish society had placed on her for Jesus had loved her, had given her dignity as a daughter of Abraham and, therefore, worthy to receive the blessings of God. So regardless of any opposition she may have faced from family, friends or neighbours, she became Jesus' disciple and followed Him all the way to the cross.