Women in the Bible: Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene has been mentioned by name 12 times in the bible — more than any of the apostles ever was.
This tells us not only of her relevance to Christ’s teachings, but also of Mary’s close association with Jesus himself. It is, after all, primarily her physical presence near her master and teacher that ensure that all four gospels record her among those who were close to Jesus. She was present at his crucifixion, burial and resurrection — only John, among the apostles, was also present at all of these times.
Mary Magdalene is often believed to be the “sinful” woman who washes Jesus’ feet at Simon the Pharisee’s house (Luke 7:36–50) She silently weeps at his feet, using her tears to bathe them, then wipes them gently with her hair. She then kisses Jesus’ feet and begins to anoint them with an expensive ointment. While some of those present, including Simon the host, look on, undoubtedly condemning both the woman for daring to touch Jesus’s feet in this manner, as well as Jesus himself for allowing such a ‘stained’ woman to touch him, Jesus proceeds to interrupt their thoughts in order to make an exemplar of her. He tells the other guests the parable of the two debtors and then addresses Simon, comparing the treatment the woman has just given him, with that by Simon himself. In showing remorse for her sins (through her copious tears), her will to serve Jesus (in using her own hair to wipe his feet) and her love for him (through her kisses and anointing), the sinful woman finds favour with Jesus and her sins are pardoned.
If this sinful woman, was in fact, Mary Magdalene, then a case can also be made for her being Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, who anoints Jesus’s feet with a pound of expensive perfume, then wipes them with her hair (John 12) In both gospels, Jesus both commends and defends the woman’s actions as inspired by love and devotion towards him.
Mary’s devotion and love is again alluded to in Luke’s gospel (Luke 10:38–42) where Mary is seen at her favourite spot — the feet of Jesus. Her sister, Martha, complains to Jesus, asking him to tell Mary to help her with her work instead. Jesus chides her gently, saying, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing.” The thing that Jesus is referring to is what Mary has learnt to do, while sitting and listening at Jesus’ feet — abide in him. “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. (John 15:7–9)
Mary Magdalene does, in fact, become akin to a disciple of Jesus’, especially after she is exorcised of seven demons. Set free from satanic bondage, she chooses to be bound to Jesus instead, traveling with him, offering her own resources and not leaving his side, even at his crucifixion.
Mary Magdalene’s love for her master is rewarded when Jesus chooses her to be the first to appear to after his resurrection. Mary’s devotion to Jesus continues after his death and burial — she goes to visit his tomb as soon as the day after the Sabbath breaks. Even here, after the other two disciples who arrive later, marvel at the empty tomb and go home, Mary stands weeping outside the tomb, reluctant to leave it. “As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb” (John 20: 11–12) Perhaps it is this active seeking of Jesus that moves him to appear to her — making her the first witness to the greatest event in all of history.
LESSONS TO LEARN:
While the apostles walked with Jesus and ate with him, Mary Magdalene quietly found her place at his feet. In her humility and servitude, she learnt and lived what Jesus preached — repentance and true love for God. In the unabashed expression of her love, Mary showed no fear of judgement from others — something we must learn from and adopt when attempting to be fearless Christians. We hurriedly and quietly mutter grace before meals in a restaurant (if at all!), and look for change to put into the collection tray at mass. Compare this to Mary who gave of her time, her money and her self to Jesus.
Not only did Mary consider herself a servant to Jesus, she also took on the role of a true friend. Heartbreaking as it must have been to watch Jesus being crucified, Mary Magdalene stayed by his side, along with his mother, Mary. How often do we leave Jesus’ side when our prayers have been answered and our own needs met? Mary Magdalene can teach us a thing or two about being more than fair-weather friends to Jesus.
