What Loyalty Looks Like
Notes
Transcript
Mary’s Faithfulness (v. 11)
Mary’s Faithfulness (v. 11)
Her Past
From Magdala a city on the southwest coast of the Sea of Galilee.
There is no confirmation that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute.
Though, given that she was possessed by not one but seven demons there is little doubt that sin reigned in her life prior to meeting Jesus.
Her Deliverance
Luke 8:1-2 “Soon afterwards, He began going around from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,”
She owed Jesus everything.
Her Devotion
One of Jesus’ most faithful followers
She was one of the financial backers of the Jesus’ ministry.
Luke 8:2-3 “and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means.”
She may not have been as destitute as we often picture her.
She followed Him across the country as He ministered from town to town.
She followed Jesus to the that mockery of a trial the Jewish leaders set up.
She witness Jesus being beaten.
She followed Him to the cross even when most of the other disciples ran away.
She followed Him to the tomb. This is her third trip to the tomb. The reason she has come back is not given other than she is looking for the body of Jesus and hopes to find a witness.
The last place we probably find her is in Acts 1:14 eagerly awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Mary’s Encounter (v. 12, 13a)
Mary’s Encounter (v. 12, 13a)
The Angel’s Appearance
They were wearing white.
They were seated in the tomb probably on the carved bench where the bodies would be laid.
However, it is hard to tell if she or the other women who followed her to the tomb recognized them as angels.
The Angel’s Question
“Woman, why are you weeping?”
A gentle rebuke. Why would you mourn for the living?
Mary was still unaware of the resurrection. She still believes that grave robbers are responsible.
Mary’s Anguish (v. 13b -15)
Mary’s Anguish (v. 13b -15)
Weeping (v.11, 13, 15)
Uncontrollable
Illustration: Mother weeping at the funeral of her son who committed suicide.
Bewildered
Panicked at not knowing what happened to Jesus’ body
Confused at who these two men are sitting in the tomb.
Somehow Mary becomes aware of someone standing behind her.
Confuses Jesus for the gardener. - why?
Blinded by tears
The disciples on the road to Emmaus- Luke 24:16 “But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him.”
Later as Jesus stood on the beach the other disciples did not recognize Him: John 21:4 “But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.”
It seems likely that the same was true also for Mary.
Jesus asks her two questions:
Woman, why are you weeping? - like the angels this is a mild rebuke indicating that Mary should not be mourning.
Whom are you seeking? - an invitation to:
Broaden her understanding of who Jesus is
Perhaps a small hint that she should not have been looking for a thing, a body but a living and breathing person.
Devotion
I will bury Him.
How? - that was her level of devotion. I don’t know how but I will find a way.
“Mary was more committed to Jesus thinking He was dead than many of us are knowing He is alive.” - Steven Lawson
Consider who Jesus was to Mary. She tells us herself by how she addresses Jesus.
Lord
Lordship salvation
many preachers overstate their case
Accepting Christ as your Savior requires some element of submission to Jesus as Lord.
It does not mean that you at that time even understand what it means to submit to Jesus as Lord. It is a process that starts at salvation not a requirement for salvation.
Mary thinking Jesus was dead still addressed Him as Lord.
It is a term of submission and authority.
Teacher
Rabboni
John translates this for us as teacher.
The KJV uses “master” but teacher is a better translation.
Like Peter, Mary understood that Jesus possessed the words of life.
Mary’s Recognition (v. 16-18)
Mary’s Recognition (v. 16-18)
The Voice of Jesus
The voice that calmed the sea
The voice that called Lazarus forth
The voice that said “Let there be light”
The Sheep Know His Voice
John 10:3-4 “To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. “When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.”
We know Jesus because He has made Himself known.
Her Desperation
“Stop clinging to me...” this is a difficult phrase to translate and interpret, but I believe that Jesus is essentially saying to Mary: “You can let go of me I am not going anywhere yet.”
Would you do any different in her place?
Her Exclamation
Jesus gives her a job to do, a message to carry.
“I have seen the Lord!”
The message that Jesus gives to Mary to share with the disciples reveals what He accomplished. “your Father, your God”
Application:
“Name drop Jesus” the message that Jesus gave to Mary is not all that different from the message He has given to you and to me.
Learn from the loyalty of Mary.