The remarkable devotion of Mary Magdalene

 

10-13)  “Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.  But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping; and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the sepulchre; and seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head and the other at the foot where the body of Jesus had lain. They say unto her, woman, why weepest thou? She said unto them, because they have taken away, my Lord, and I know not where they have laid Him.”

Here we see the contrast between the disciples and the devoted Mary Magdalene. The disciples went home, which they were entitled to do, for they needed rest from the trauma they had been through. However, Mary would not rest until she knew where they had laid Him. The Holy Spirit records, she stood by the sepulchre weeping. This continues the flow of thought which began in18v5, where Judas stood with the ungodly rulers; in v18 Peter stood with the supporting mob, warming himself at the fire; in chapter 19v25, Mary Magdalene was one of the four women who stood by the Cross of Jesus in public devotion to Christ.  Now in chapter 20v11 she stood by the sepulchre weeping.  When everyone else had gone home, she remained at the sepulchre because all she wanted was to know was where they had laid Him. This remarkable devotion to Christ is highlighted by the Holy Spirit. The woman out of whom He cast 7 demons-Mark 16v9, loved Him more than they all, and stood her ground to the end.  Mary Magdalene, along with many others of the women are highlighted in this gospel as those who understood more, and those who loved more than the disciples. These were no crocodile tears, they were tears of genuine sorrow.  Unto those who are such, heaven responds.  As she stooped to look into the tomb, she saw two angels in white, sitting where His body had lain.  At that moment she knew all was well, yet she was allowed to express her sorrow.

20v14-21v25  Jesus appears to many

First to Mary Magdalene  We know that Jesus died because He was buried; we know that Jesus rose from the dead, because he was seen and He appeared to many witnesses. John, in his narrative, is following the logic of Paul in 1^st Corinthians 15, where he lays out the basis of the gospel that Christ died and was buried; that He rose again and was seen.  Here we have the narrative underpinning the doctrine.  There is a kind of poetic justice that Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene.  She was first to see Him in resurrection and she was first to report to the faithful. 

14-18)  “And when she had thus said, she turned herself back and saw Jesus standing and knew not that it was Jesus.  Jesus saith unto her, woman why weepest thou, whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto Him, Sir if thou hast borne Him hence, tell me where thou hast laid Him and I will take Him away.  Jesus saith unto her, Mary; she turned herself, and said unto Him, Rabboni, which is to say, Master.  Jesus saith unto her, touch me not, for I have not yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brethren and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father and your father, and to my God and your God.  Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things unto her.” 

An amazing moment of revelation, first to see Him in resurrection, first to share the good news.  She did not expect this, and did not recognise Him in her grief.  However she did recognise His voice, which she had heard many times before.  Her heart leapt, and no doubt she clung to Him for joy.  She said “Rabboni”, which is the intimate form of Rabbi, meaning my very own teacher.  Jesus discouraged her natural elation and said that the intimacy must only be spiritual, for He was not yet ascended.  He sends her to tell the brethren-note the change of relationship on resurrection ground.  He had before called God their Father, but had never referred to them as brethren, although this was prophesied-Psalm 22v22  and others.  However He makes the distinction, as He says, “My Father and your Father; my God and your God”.  His relationship to God will always be special and so it must be.  This new status, where believers are in relationship to God, because in relationship to Him, is entirely new, and exalting, and exciting, a new dawn has come-human beings as brethren of Christ.  This truth is developed in the epistles-Romans 8v29 and Hebrews 2v11.  The disciples called Him Lord, He called them brethren.  Heaven responded to Mary’s outstanding devotion, the angels comforted her and the Lord appeared to her first in newness of life.