Short Stories

---

Mary Magdalene
by S. Hunt

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3:16-17 NKJV




My thoughts take me back to Mary Magdalene as she sat at the feet of Jesus, listening to His teaching; experiencing such unconditional love. What a spiritual connection she must have had with the Savior.

She knew He loved and valued her the day He saved her. I can only imagine the love and gratitude that filled her heart as she looked into His eyes and saw the love and acceptance He offered her as He extended His hand. How could she ever be the same again? It was a turning point in her life she would never forget and would forever give thanks; such deep love she must have felt for her Savior.

And now she sits at the foot of the cross watching her closest, most loved friend suffering an undeserved, cruel death and there was nothing she could do- How could she understand? How could she know the depth of the saving power being poured out from the cross that dark, sorrowful day?

What unbearable pain she must have endured; pain that rips your heart in two; pain that takes your breath and threatens your very life and sanity. And once again, she would never be the same. How would she go on without her dearest friend?

He was the only one who had ever loved her wholeheartedly and accepted her completely in spite of her failures, in spite of her lack of purity, in spite of all the wrong choices she had ever made- How could she go on without Him?

What was it she could do for Jesus, except stay by His side until the end? A broken vessel at the foot of the cross, pouring out every ounce of love she had for the Savior and grieving her greatest loss.


...these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that believing you may have life in His name. John 20:31 NKJV

The weight of loneliness and despair grew. Mary Magdalene watched as the stone was rolled up against the entrance of the tomb; sealing the body of Jesus inside.

Puddles of tears blurred her vision; the cold hard stone beneath her fingertips stood between her and the Savior. The silence was deafening - He's gone.

It must have all seemed like a bad dream. Memories of Jesus flooded her mind through out the sleepless night. There had been such a celebration just a few days before when Jesus rode into the city. People greeted His arrival with joy as they paved the road with their clothes and palm branches. She could still hear the voices crying out "Hosanna".

She remembered the words He had spoken, "I am the way, the truth, and the life..." How confused she must have been. Jesus was gone, what did she have left to hope in? Yet she still felt a strong connection even though His lifeless body lay behind the stone; it was as though He was still with her. But how could this be?

Sabbath, the day of rest was over. As Mary Magdalene walked down the road in the early morning to the tomb, she remembered all the times she and the other women Jesus saved, had followed Him to the cities and the countryside to listen to Him teach and the many times they ministered to Him by preparing food and drink. The joy still lingered in her heart from those moments she spent with her dearest friend.

The memories of Jesus brought comfort to her aching heart. Death wasn't strong enough to stamp out her joy; her life-changing experience; the spiritual connection with her Savior. These treasures would forever remain in her heart.

With spices in hand, she made her way down the dewy garden path. She had come to minister to Jesus even though he lay lifeless. Why? Because it was what she had done in days past; it was an act of love.

The light was beginning to peak over the horizon; the tomb was in sight. The stone had been moved. A sharp, hot searing pain pierced her raw heart; the tomb was empty.


And Jesus said...
"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
John 20:29 NKJV

How much more pain could Mary Magdalene's heart endure? She was lost; confused. Nothing made any sense - She didn't know where her Savior was and she needed to find Him.

When the others she had told came to see the empty tomb, they left perplexed and went home. But Mary Magdalene stayed at the tomb seeking to know where Jesus was.

I can only imagine the joy that filled her heart when she heard Jesus call her name -

"Mary!"
She knew His voice; He was alive!

She must have thought of that day in the garden many times through out her life time- She must have shared the experience with others as well. Did it matter if they believed her? Did it matter what they said? No, nothing could change what Mary Magdalene knew.

The "Truth" she experienced in the garden that day by the tomb would live in her heart forever; Jesus was alive!

The "Life" she experienced from that day forward, living each day spiritually connected with her Savior, would sustain her. It didn't matter that she couldn't physically walk with her dearest friend; He lived in her heart. She knew all the things Jesus had said were true; He had promised He would never leave or forsake her. Every day for the rest of her life she knew His promise was true; He was with her.

There was no doubt in her mind now, she knew the "Way". Deep down in her heart she knew Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God. She remembered His promise, "Where I am, there you may be also." She knew someday she would see her Savior again, face to face. His death made the way, His resurrection opened the door for anyone who believed. She knew now, not even death could separate her from her Savior, Christ Jesus.


copyright S.Hunt 2007

visit my blog at www.wheretheroadleadsweeklyblog.blogspot.com
email: [email protected]

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE