Mary Magdalene

We are at the end of the series, Student, with the winner of our favorite students, Mary Magdelene. Mary Magdelene happens to be one of my favorite students too. Since arriving at First United Methodist Church of Gadsden, I have come to appreciate her even more as I have reflected upon her story in glass with the window facing Chestnut Street. This piece of art perfectly captures when Jesus calls her name (John 20:1-18). As Jesus called her name, Mary recognized Jesus. I think she also recognized who she was in Jesus. Her past no longer defined her, but she was defined through the Resurrected Christ. Jesus healed her from her demons and taught her. Now at the garden tomb, he commissioned her to go and tell others that he was alive.

               When Jesus calls us name, we are given a new identity. We are no longer defined by our past and the previous, but new life in Christ. This is a new way filled with purpose.

A Fellow Student,

Rev. Sherri

Homework:

Read more about Mary from Magdala: Mark 16: 9-11, Luke 8:1-3, Mark 15:40-41, Matthew 27:55-56, and Matthew 28:1-10.

Read Luke 7:36-50. Do you think this is Mary Magdalene? Why or why not?