Jesus traveled through towns and villages, preaching the Good News about the Kingdom of God. The twelve disciples went with him, and so did some women who had been healed of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (who was called Magdalene), was one of them; from her seven demons had been driven out. Luke 8:1,2
It always surprises me when I consider Mary Magdalene. Relatively little is said about her in the Bible, yet Jesus chose her to be the first person to whom He revealed Himself after His resurrection. Her testimony (story) graphically shows how those who claim to love Jesus—those who have followed His teachings, have lived in intimacy with Him, and are eye-witnesses of His miracles—can respond to Him in two totally different ways.
The difference goes deeper than the popular titles we put on it like ‘head versus heart’ or ‘caution vs reckless abandon’. All the people who saw Jesus that first day of His resurrection had all the ‘right stuff’. But Jesus chose to reveal Himself to only one, first:
In church terms Jesus’ choice doesn’t seem logical or even very wise. He could not only have gotten more bang from making His grand re-entry before a bigger group—a more distinguished one, too—but women in His day (and especially a woman with Magdalene’s past) weren’t considered very reliable. Witness the fact that when she told the disciples—the people who knew her well—they didn’t believe her.
I mean, can you imagine if Jesus decided to make his first resurrection appearance to the political leaders? Take Pilot. Here’s Pilot and Mrs. Pilot having another of their continuous arguments:
“I told you not to harm that man,” Mrs. Pilot chides, “and what did you do? You crucified him! What are you courting some kind of death wish? Well if you’re determined to annihilate yourself just don’t take me along, buddy!”
“But, dearest, I HAD to.” Pilot whines. “Think of the crowds. Think of my reputation. Think of what Publius would be able to report to Rome if there was another riot…”
“I’m thinking about what that man said about how he would rise from the dead. What are you going to do if that happens, smart boy?”
Suddenly Jesus appears in the room: “I’m baa-ack.” Camera fades out on a look of horror comes across the couple’s faces…
Or what if Jesus appeared first to the spiritual elite…? Leaders like the Chief Priests and elders of the people:
“Oh great! You say you lost the body?” Caiaphas groans. “Now some hooligan is going to claim he’s risen from the dead.”
“No fear, Your Worship,” says one of the elders. “We paid off the guards to spread a report among the people that his disciples came and took the body.”
“That motley gang?” the Chief Priest scoffs. “You’ve got to be kidding. Nobody’s going to believe that. Why everyone knows they didn’t even have the backbone to show up for the trial. It will take more than a few sleepy guards to made that story stick. And don’t forget, he said he’d rise in 3 days.”
“But everyone knows that’s impossible,” another elder objects.
“I might remind you that everyone knew raising that fellow Lazarus from the dead was impossible.”
“But surely you aren’t suggesting that Lazarus was REALLY raised, sir?”
“Of course I’m not. But it doesn’t matter if it didn’t happen so long as the people THINK it DID happened…”
Suddenly Jesus appears in the room. “Oh, take My word for it. It happened. And surprise, surprise: it’s happening again.” Camera fades out on the self righteous faces of the Jews elite elders realizing another dam has busted in their struggle to keep the once-docile people in their iron grip.
Or what if He had decided to reveal Himself to His disciples? Well, we already know what happened when He finally did reveal Himself to them. It wouldn’t be much of a stretch to suggest that their welcome would have been any warmer had He shown Himself to them first.
But Magdalene? Why Magdalene? What distinguished her from anyone else? That’s what I want to look at over the next few meditations…stay tuned…