The First

My heart was broken. Judas had betrayed Jesus. We saw the anger build as the priests incited the crowds to call for His death. A sense of evil permeated the area like a disease. The hatred stirred in the crowd as they called for His death. They held a trial, beat Him, and whipped Him. He was so torn apart that His bones were visible.

He warned us when Mary, Lazarus’ sister, anointed His feet with oil, telling us it was for His burial. It didn’t make sense. He was supposed to bring life! He raised Lazarus from the dead after days in the tomb. Mary, Martha, and I were there. We saw Him call Lazarus out of the tomb. Who would be there to call Him out of His tomb?

After the trial and having Jesus flogged, Pilate sent my Savior to the cross. He was made to carry His cross from the courtyard to Golgotha. I saw His blood pouring from His head, hands, and feet. I witnessed the mocking, the sorrow, and His mother’s grief. We could not rescue the One who had rescued me.

I began following Him when He delivered me from demons. I was an enemy of God, yet He chose to save me from the affliction of the evil. I became a testament to His power and love. I was a new woman. I had to follow Him. Who could have delivered Him?

At the end of Sabbath we went to anoint Him with spices. Though unsure who would roll the stone away, we felt compelled to go. The guards would not be likely to help us, but we would figure something out. As we approached there was a sense of foreboding. Something was wrong. The guards seemed dead, and the stone was already moved. Would we find that they had done some horrible thing to His body? Did they take Him away to hide what had been done to Him?

We had to know. When we entered the tomb, the sight that greeted us left us amazed and in fear. A young man in a long white robe told us not to be afraid. He said that Jesus has risen. He invited us to look where He had been and He was not there.

We ran out in fear. Could this be true or was this another trick…another mockery? We kept running until we reached the disciples. We told them what we had seen and they ran to see for themselves.

I found myself back at the tomb. This was too much. My Lord, who had shown His love and power to so many, had been killed. Now the body was gone and I did not know what to do. I simply couldn’t take it. I stood by the tomb, overwhelmed by grief, and cried. After a while I just had to look again. I stooped to look into the tomb. My gaze was met by two angels. One was where His head had been and the other was at His feet. They asked why I was crying. I told them my fears and turned away.

When I had turned I saw a man, his figure blurred by my tears, whom I mistook for a gardener. He asked me why I was crying and who I was looking for. I asked if he had moved the body, and said I would take Him. It was then that He called me by name and suddenly I knew who it was. My Rabbouni! It was Jesus! He was ALIVE!

Mary Magdalene in the Garden with Jesus

I will remember that for all eternity. The woman with demons was the one who saw the risen Christ first. I am not worthy to be anything to Him, and yet He loved me enough to reveal Himself to me! Jesus, who I saw die, was walking in the garden. He had done what He said! He conquered death. He is with me! Hallelujah, Christ arose!

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Mary Magdalene was mentioned in the gospels more than many of the disciples. Mark 16:10 states that Jesus had driven seven demons out of her. She followed Christ, witnessed the crucifixion, and was at the tomb to be the one to see the risen Jesus first. What a privilege!

I hope you enjoyed the three little stories this week. I attempted to remain true to the scripture, but imagine what must have been going on in the minds of those that followed Him through the joy of the triumphal entry, the desperation, fear, and grief of the cross, and the victory of the empty tomb. I serve a risen Savior!