Mary Magdalene: Devotion to Christ

Farmers may disagree that prostitution is earth’s oldest profession, since Adam was a farmer. But, that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute was only the unfortunate papal pronouncement of Gregory the Great (591 AD), where he misidentified the sinful woman anointing Jesus’ feet (Luke 7:37) with “Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils” (Luke 8:2 KJV). Better to remember the Magdalene’s devotion to our Lord. Mary materially supported the ministry of Jesus, along with “Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto Him of their substance” (8:3). She followed Jesus close enough to witness the crucifixion of her Lord. “And all His acquaintance, and the women that followed Him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things” (23:49). And, she was esteemed by the Lord highly enough for Him to appear to Mary Magdalene before all the apostles in leadership. “Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord” (John 20:18). Mary Magdalene set the spiritual tone of the early church. LORD, work in us the heart of devotion You gave Mary Magdalene. In Jesus’ name. Amen.