Grove Baptist Church

Thought for the Month - September 2017

"Mary, Mary, quite contrary" by Barry Adair
(Unconvincing da Vinci Code)

I have written a couple of Thoughts previously about women in the Bible. And this month I want to return to the theme with a brief look at Mary Magdalene. Now to say that this lady has gained a promiscuous reputation down through the centuries is somewhat of an under-statement! But what does the Bible say? This is what I wanted to share here after a study in God's Word.

Actually, what put this Thought into my head was a BBC-4 TV Programme entitled "Forbidden History". The full hour was devoted to Mary Magdalene. But not the Mary Magdalene that I remembered from the Bible. Honestly, I haven't heard so much drivel since Dan Brown's "The da Vinci Code". What it did do, mind you, was to make me reach for the OFF button and open my Bible to search for the truth. And let's say what I found went contrary to that TV programme - Mary, Mary, quite contrary!

I don't really want to peddle the nonsense written (and now broadcast) about Mary Magdalene but suffice it to say that she has been portrayed as a former prostitute, mystic, healer, leader of the church, wife of Jesus Christ and mother of Jesus' child! The Da Vinci Code novel sparked off a resurgence of interest in Mary Magdalene and in the "Gospel of Mary". This, so called, gospel is not part of the canon of Holy Scripture. In fact, it was only discovered in 1896 and there are many pages missing. It is not a true gospel and scholars can't even agree which Mary the book is written about - there are 6 Marys recorded in the New Testament. Some people love a conspiracy theory and The Da Vinci Code went to town on this, basing the novel loosely on the apocryphal writings around Mary Magdalene. I say 'loosely' as even the "gospel of Mary" doesn't state that Mary had been appointed leader of the church or that Jesus and Mary were romantically involved. Actually I don't really blame Dan Brown or his novel, it is easily-led people who have taken these made-up ideas and turned them into 'gospel' that I have a problem with!

Moving swiftly on from fiction to fact - so what of the real Mary from Magdala - Mary Magdalene? But first I also need to call out others for falsely peddling salacious gossip concerning Mary Magdalene. I speak of the Roman Catholic Church. In this respect, and sadly in many others, the Roman Catholic Church has distorted Biblical truth. If you saw the popular film "The Magdalene Sisters" then you might be ahead of me here. In Ireland up to the 1960's, so called "fallen women" were locked away in "Magdalene asylums". The main tragedy here is that this shameful episode ever happened. However, it also highlights Catholic Church teaching concerning Mary Magdalene i.e. that she was a penitent "fallen woman". The Catholic Church (and Pope Gregory in particular) made the association between the 'woman in the city who was a sinner' and who washed Jesus' feet (Luke 7:37) with Mary Magdalene, but there is no scriptural basis for this. Mary Magdalene was also associated with the woman whom Jesus saved from stoning after she had been taken in adultery (John 8:1-11). Again this association has no evidence or Biblical authority. Magdala, where Mary was from, did have a reputation for prostitution - and Antrim, where I work, has a reputation for drug dealing. Mary Magdalene wasn't a prostitute and I'm not a drug dealer!

And so to the truth! The Bible has a few things to tell us about Mary Magdalene…

  • We know that she had been demon possessed but was restored after meeting Jesus.
  • We know that she was a faithful follower of the Lord Jesus.
  • We know that she, and others, financially supported the disciples and the early church.
  • We know that she was present at Jesus' crucifixion and burial.
  • We know that she was the first witness of the resurrected Lord Jesus.
  • We know that she was sent by Jesus to tell His disciples that He had risen.

Mary Magdalene witnessed most of the monumental events surrounding the ministry of Jesus, His death and resurrection. She was present at the mock trial of Jesus and heard Pontius Pilate pronounce the death sentence. She saw Jesus beaten, humiliated and then nailed to that cruel Roman cross. But it was to Mary that the Lord Jesus first spoke after His wondrous resurrection! And it was Mary who was sent by Jesus to tell the disciples that He had risen from the dead (John 20:11-18).

Mary was a sinner in the same sense that we are all sinners (Romans 3:23) but the Mary of holy writ was truly a remarkable woman. A woman who stayed close to Her Saviour even through the bad times. A woman with an obvious love for her Saviour. A woman who was entrusted to pass on some of the most life-changing words ever uttered after speaking to the risen Jesus - "I have seen the Lord" (John 20:18). Three days after His cruel death, Jesus, as He had said, had risen from the grave!

As Christians, let us try and emulate the life of Mary Magdalene in her unwavering love for the Saviour and in her support for the one true church.

Mary owed much, gave much, loved much and served much. May we all try to get closer to this Godly standard.

Not she with traitorous kiss her Master stung,
Not she denied Him with unfaithful tongue;
She, when Apostles fled, could dangers brave,
Last at the Cross, and earliest at the grave. (Anon)

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Until next month (DV)…

Are you SURE that you have your place booked in Heaven? Read this if you're not!