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The Devotion of Mary MagdaleneMatthew 27:55-56; Mark 15:40, 47; 16:1, 9; Luke 8:2; 24:10; John 19:25; 20:1Make notes on the following:Her characterHer sorrow/heartacheHer joy/redemptionWrite a summary of her story:Prayer FocusMary Magdalene is a beautiful example of a life completely devoted to Jesus. She never left His side as Hewas crucified and laid in the tomb. She probably couldn’t sleep as she waited to be able to go and tenderlycare for His broken, lifeless body. And then He appeared to her before anyone else. Keep these thoughts inmind as you commit to live a life devoted to Jesus. Ask Him if there is anything in your life competing forHis place in your heart and ask Him for the courage to remove whatever it might be so you can be totallysold out for Him. Considering Mary’s illicit past, start believing today that He welcomes you with all ofyour junk and garbage - and then He takes that junk and garbage and redeems it. He makes all things new.Believe that today.Notes:A Work Of Grace aimeeimbeau.com
The Devotion of Mary MagdaleneEver feel like a scandalous woman? A woman whose sin just can’t be forgiven because it’s too dark? Toosinister? Too evil? You believe you are just too far gone. I mean, how could anyone love a whore? Someone who has been unfaithful - and we’ve all been unfaithful to our Lord. But our God is so gracious to us.One way He shows us His grace upon grace is by including scandalous women in His word, like Mary Magdalene. Through the lives of these shameful and disgraceful women, He displays His glory and redemption.He shows us that life and freedom are freely available to us, as well as complete forgiveness of any and allsin.Read Matthew 27:55-56; Mark 15:40, 47; 16:1, 9; Luke 8:2; 24:10; John 19:25; 20:1The Devotion of Mary Magdalene1. Read Matthew 27:55-56. Who were the women listed here?Why is the mention of Mary Magdalene significant here?The love and devotion shown here by Mary speaks volumes on the impact Jesus had on her. She was demon-possessed when she encountered the Savior. I don’t think it can get worse than that - to be demon-possessed is pretty serious. Jesus didn’t shy away from her. He didn’t condemn her. He welcomed her, lovedher where she was at, healed her, and redeemed her.2. We read the same account here in Mark 15:40. How does this demonstrate Mary’s faithfulness?All hope was lost, or so it seemed. How many of us give up and go home when hope seems to be lost? Iknow I have. And there are times when I still feel like throwing up my hands and just giving up.Right now, I am experiencing some ‘hurt by the church’ - and I am fighting the urge to give up on churchentirely. Everything in me says, “It’s not worth it, Aimee. You’ve poured your heart into this ministry andthen you get slapped in the face. Just give up. Don’t even bother with church anymore. Don’t botherserving. Don’t bother at all.”But this is what it comes down to, “How can I continue being faithful to God?” just as MaryMagdalene was when life looked bleak. I don’t have an answer to that question right now. I thinkit’s going to take time. My heart needs to heal. And, maybe, in that healing, I am remainingfaithful.A Work Of Grace aimeeimbeau.com
The Devotion of Mary Magdalene3. Verses 42-47 give an incredible picture of the love and devotion of the women who followed Jesus, as wellas Joseph of Arimathea. How long did Mary Magdalene stay with Jesus’ body? What does this tell us abouther and her past and the redemption/love of Jesus?Jesus has healed me in such deep and profound ways. The brokenness in my life was irreparable. My pastwas disgraceful and immoral. And yet, He still wanted me. He still called me to be His. He says I am adaughter of the King. His masterpiece. The one He loves. And because of that, my love for Him is intenseand deep. Because the depths He went to save me were insurmountable, I will keep my hope anchored inHim. I think Mary felt the same. How about you?4. Read Mark 16:1-5. The Sabbath concluded on Saturday evening, however, the darkness prevented thewomen from going to the tomb to tend to Jesus’ body. Sunday morning brought enough light to do whatthese devoted women longed to do.We all deal with death differently. For many, being with our loved one’s body after their death helps bringhealing and allows mourning and grief to start processing. How have you experienced the death of a lovedone? What helped you process and cope?In her love and devotion to Jesus, Mary, along with the other women, had to wait from Friday to Sundaymorning to tend to Jesus’ broken body. Those hours must have been so dark, so desperate. How canyou relate to this thought?5. So, these women are headed to the tomb so they can cover Jesus’ body with spices. I am prettysure a dead body would be quite smelly by this time, but that wasn’t going to stop Mary. Thefact that they weren’t sure how they were going to get into the tomb didn’t deter her either.She was on a mission.But they were in for a huge surprise. What - or who - did Mary encounter when shearrived at the tomb?A Work Of Grace aimeeimbeau.com
The Devotion of Mary MagdaleneJesus had already risen. I think He knew Mary would come to His tomb. He made sure ‘someone’ was thereto explain where He was; why His body wasn’t there. She went to the tomb expecting to face death onceagain. But, instead, she met with Life.6. Read verse 9 - what is significant about this verse? Why would it be mentioned that she had beenpossessed?Mary Magdalene was the first person to see the risen Savior. This is no small thing. Out of everyone elsewho followed Him, He revealed Himself to a woman. And not just any woman - the woman with the darkestpast. How does this encourage you today?We can only speculate as to why Mark felt the need to mention Mary’s shameful past. Some thoughts mightbe: To show us that Jesus will reveal Himself to anyone.A woman’s testimony was deemed unreliable at the time, so a woman with a sordid past even more unbelievable, breaking the barriers and rules of the time.We are all precious to Him, regardless of what He has rescued us from.That despite our past, we can still come to Him.What can you add to this list?7. Read Luke 24:10 & John 19:25. What do you notice about these verses in relation to what you’veread in Matthew and Mark already?A Work Of Grace aimeeimbeau.com
The Devotion of Mary MagdaleneI find it so amazing that Mary and the other women were mentioned in the same event in all 4 gospels. Thisis significant!8. It seems that Mary Magdalene remained at the cross in order to support Jesus’ mother. Sometimes justour quiet presence helps a hurting loved one endure heartache and deep sorrow. We live in a culture that isanything but quiet. There is pressure to ‘say something’. Think about a time when someone’s quiet presence brought you comfort. Write about how that helped you walk through whatever it was you were walkingthrough.9. Let’s look at our final verse, John 20:1. Mary Magdalene devoted her entire life to following Jesus afterHe rescued her from her sordid past. She was there when He was crucified - I can’t even fathom watchingsuch horror. She was there when he was entombed. She returned to the tomb as soon as she could so shecould tend to His body. Such devotion and love. How do you show your devotion to Jesus?10. Skipping down to verse 11 (or read the verses in between for context) and read to verse 16. Mary wondered and worried where her Savior was - or where His body was. And while she was weeping and worrying,Jesus appears before her. Oh, what a gentle Savior. So gentle with our broken hearts. Even in the momentswhen we think He is gone, that He has deserted us, He is never far away. How has He shown you this truth?Mary did not recognize Jesus at first, likely because of her intense grief. But as soon as He calledher name, she knew. She knew His voice. Maybe it was the way in which He said her name. Orthe realization that He knew her that helped her see clearly. Sometimes it is so difficult to seeJesus through adversity. But when we quiet our hearts and minds before Him and listen for Hisstill, small voice calling our name, we recognize that He is right there with us. Do you need toquiet yourself before Him today (I do!). Take some time to do that now and write down anynuggets of truth He shares with you.A Work Of Grace aimeeimbeau.com
The Devotion of Mary MagdaleneContinue writing thoughts from your prayer time or add any additional thoughts or insight from this week’sstudy.A Work Of Grace aimeeimbeau.com
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by themercies of God, to present your bodiesa living and holy sacrifice, acceptable toGod, which is your spiritual service ofworship.For you have been bought witha price: therefore glorify God inyour body.Romans 12:11 Corinthians 6:20A Work Of Grace aimeeimbeau.comOnly fear the LORD and serveHim in truth with all yourheart; for consider what greatthings He has done for you.1 Samuel 12:24A Work Of Grace aimeeimbeau.comOr do you not know that yourbody is a temple of the HolySpirit who is in you, whom youhave from God, and that youare not your own?1 Corinthians 6:19A Work Of Grace aimeeimbeau.comA Work Of Grace aimeeimbeau.comand He died for all, so that theywho live might no longer live forthemselves, but for Him who diedand rose again on their behalf.2 Corinthians 5:15A Work Of Grace aimeeimbeau.comYou shall love the LORD yourGod with all your heart andwith all your soul and with allyour might.Deuteronomy 6:5A Work Of Grace aimeeimbeau.com
I find it so amazing that Mary and the other women were mentioned in the same event in all 4 gospels. This is significant! 8. It seems that Mary Magdalene remained at the cross in order to support Jesus' mother. Sometimes just our quiet presence helps a hurting loved one endure heartache and deep sorrow. We live in a culture that is
