Finally, we come to the woman who is mentioned each year at Easter, and then put away until the next Easter. We hear her voice “He is risen!” and we repeat back “He is risen, indeed!”
AI says this about Mary Magdalene. She was mentioned 13-14 times in the New Testament:
Summary of Key Passages
- Luke 8:2 – Introduced as a woman healed of seven demons.
- Luke 8:3 – Supports Jesus’ ministry with other women.
- Matthew 27:55-56 – Witnesses the crucifixion.
- Mark 15:40-41 – Present at the crucifixion.
- John 19:25 – Observes the crucifixion.
- Matthew 28:1-10 – Visits the tomb and witnesses the resurrection.
- Mark 16:9 – First to see the risen Jesus.
- John 20:1-18 – Encounters Jesus and reports to the disciples.
Mary Magdalene’s mentions emphasize her faithfulness, her role as a disciple, and her unique honor as the first to witness and proclaim the resurrection, making her one of the most significant female figures in the New Testament
(end of AI assist)
Then she disappeared. Mary Magdalene is gone – where? Packed away to be brought out again at Easter, because there is no Easter without Mary Magdalene.
One time my pastor preached on the plan of salvation and he made this remarkable statement: “There was only one plan, and after Jesus was crucified, it was up to the disciples to tell everybody about his resurrection.”
Well, not exactly, preacher. Jesus had another plan up his sleeve. “Tell a woman!”
Scriptures: Jesus reveals to Mary Magdalene that he is the resurrected Christ
John 20:11-18
11 Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”
“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”
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.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).
17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
18 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.
Our next subject is: The Advocate – The Holy Spirit
Shirley Taylor Books (available on Amazon in print and on Kindle)
The Biblical Marriage Myth: The Devil Comes Calling
The Power of a Book: The Street Evangelist
Raising the Hood: A Christian Look at Manhood and Womanhood
Women Equal: No Buts
Dethroning Male Headship: 2nd Edition
From Wife to Widow: What I Know Now
Beyond the Grave: A Christian Dilemma
