JESUS APPEARS TO MARY MAGDALENE.
By G.
IN the Gospel according to Mark, we have this record: “Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven devils.” Ch. 16:9. Never was there a more forcible, a more practical commentary on the words of the prophet, “Tho your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; tho they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isa. 1:18. Should any one, with this example before him, ever feel a hesitancy in coming to Jesus with a penitent heart? As “a brand plucked out of the fire,” Mary became a personal follower of the Lord, as one of those who “ministered unto Him of their substance.” Luke 8:2, 3. She was one who stood at the cross with the mother and the aunt of Jesus. John 19:25. She had lingered till Joseph and Nicodemus took Him down from the cross, and then she followed to see where they laid Him. Matt. 27:59-61; Mark 15:47. And when the Sabbath was past, she was one of those who “bought sweet spices” for the purpose of further showing a loving regard for the Master. This zeal to show her appreciation of all that Jesus had done for her was rewarded by the honor not only of the first recognition of the risen Saviour, but of being the first human messenger to herald His resurrection. Those whom He had specially chosen to preach the Gospel of His victory over death were still at home, weeping and mourning over the supposed failure of all such hope, when Mary met Him at the tomb and learned that He was alive. However, up to the time of Mary’s actual conversation with the Lord, there was one element—the essential element—lacking in her loving ministrations. Up to this moment the element of faith had been lacking, notwithstanding the plain declarations of Jesus regarding His death and resurrection. This lack of faith was shown in the purchase of the spices and the errand to the tomb. There was no thought of finding a living Saviour at whose bidding she could have the joy of carrying the Gospel message to others. This lack of living faith was shown in the query of the women on the way to the sepulcher, “Who shall roll us away the stone?” But it is especially emphasized in the fact that Mary did not know where to find the Saviour when Jesus was not in the tomb. She was still disposed to seek the living among the dead. Now far be it from our purpose, or the purpose of any one, to criticize the sorrowing disciple. Jesus did not criticize her; He simply proceeded to enlighten her and to employ her to further His work. This employment would of itself tend to strengthen her faith. But He did upbraid His male disciples—His chosen apostles—who had enjoyed much greater privileges, because they did not believe the word of Mary and the other women who had seen Him alive. We can neither receive benefit nor do any good by criticizing the ignorant or the weak in faith, but there are lessons for us in the experience of Mary, else it would not have been written. The first lesson has already been mentioned, namely, that there are none so low as to be beneath the love and pity of our God, or out of reach of His purpose to save. “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom. 5:8. “The Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it can not save; neither His ear heavy, that it can not hear.” Isa. 59:1. “Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him.” Heb. 7:25. The second lesson from Mary’s experience is in her ready appreciation of the ministry of Christ in relieving her from the power of the devil. This was shown not only in an ordinary desire to be in His presence, but in her practical consideration of His physical necessities, and in her personal sacrifice in order to honor Him even in His death. And to show that she imbibed somewhat of His spirit of loving sympathy, she is found close by His mourning relatives at the cross. The mother’s deep sorrow on account of the awful death and humiliation of her Son, of whose career she had hoped so much, was shared by the sympathizing Mary. Personal devotion to the person and cause of one who is being executed at the behest of a cruel mob is always a precarious situation, for no one knows what an over-excited populace will do next when once they have gained the ascendancy over law and order. That the followers of Jesus were by no means safe on this occasion, excepting by the special protection of an overruling Providence, is shown by their subsequent persecution after the murder of Stephen. But not the least important of the lessons to be learned from Mary is in her example of perseverance and sacrifice in spite of her ignorance of the faith. She did what she could, altho in the hour of her greatest need she knew not where to find her Lord. She knew not that He was alive at all. Her most earnest purpose was to find the body of a Friend whom she supposed to be dead. In all this there was the very reverse of faith or hope—only the desire to honor the remains of a dead Benefactor. But in doing what she could to honor Him whom she had believed was the Son of God, she found the living Saviour. Now we may learn from the story of Mary that while the Lord pities our ignorance in doing superfluous service for Him, He will honor honesty of purpose. He therefore designs to enlighten us by His Spirit, thru the Word, and thereby turn all of our earnest efforts into the right channel, as He did Mary’s when He met her at the sepulcher. Many things that Mary lacked are supplied to us—especially to those of our race who live under Christian influences; so there is now no excuse for any to spend time and energy in seeking particular localities in order to find the Lord. “The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart; that is, the Word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” The “throne of grace” is not confined to any earthly locality; and any one, at any time, in any place—any one who believes the Word, and has an honest purpose to obey it—may “come boldly” and “obtain mercy” and “find grace to help in time of need.” Heb. 4:16. Now that we have learned these truths, what would the Master have us do? What did He have Mary do when she learned the good news of His resurrection?—He sent her to tell others. “Go thou and do likewise.” G.