Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her. – John 20:18
Introduction
There are moments in life that change everything. Moments when what you once believed is shaken, when what you once feared loses its grip, and when what seemed impossible suddenly becomes undeniable reality.
The resurrection morning was one such moment. The world had gone silent after the crucifixion. Hope appeared buried. Dreams seemed shattered. The One who had healed the sick, raised the dead, and spoken with authority now lay in a tomb. For many, it was the end of the story.
But for one woman, it became the beginning of a new reality.
In the quiet hours of that morning, through tears, confusion, and longing, Mary Magdalene encountered something that would forever redefine her life. She did not encounter a memory. She did not hold on to a story. She met a Person — alive, present, and victorious.
And with a heart overflowing with awe and certainty, she ran to declare the greatest message ever spoken: “I have seen the Lord!”
Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene was not an ordinary woman with an ordinary past. Scripture tells us that she had been delivered from seven demons. Her life before Christ was marked by deep spiritual oppression and torment. To be possessed by one demon is distressing enough, but seven speaks of the intensity and depth of her bondage.
Yet her story did not end there.
Her encounter with Jesus changed everything. In a moment, what no human effort could accomplish, Jesus did effortlessly. He broke the chains that had held her captive. He silenced the voices that tormented her. He restored her dignity, her identity, and her purpose.
This is the power of Jesus. He does not negotiate with darkness. He overcomes it completely.
Mary became a living testimony of grace. She experienced what it means to be rescued, redeemed, and restored. And because she understood the depth of her deliverance, her devotion was deep and unwavering.
She did not follow Jesus casually. She followed Him wholeheartedly.
A Life of Devotion and Sacrifice
After her deliverance, Mary Magdalene did not return to her old life. She chose a new path, one of commitment and service. Scripture reveals that she supported Jesus and His ministry with her personal resources.
Her giving was not out of obligation; it was out of gratitude. When you understand what God has done for you, giving becomes a privilege, not a burden.
Mary’s devotion was also seen in her presence. When others withdrew, she drew closer. When the atmosphere became dangerous, she remained steadfast.
At the time of Jesus’ arrest, trial, and crucifixion, many of His disciples were overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty. Some denied Him. Others fled. But Mary stayed.
She followed Him to Golgotha, the place of the Skull. She stood at the foot of the cross and witnessed His suffering. She saw the nails, the agony, the blood, and the final breath.
Love kept her there.
True devotion is revealed not in moments of comfort, but in seasons of pain and uncertainty. Mary did not serve Jesus only when miracles were happening. She remained with Him even when everything seemed lost.
Faith That Refuses to Let Go
Even after Jesus died, Mary’s faith did not die. She stayed near the tomb. While others went home, she lingered. While others accepted the finality of death, she held on with hope, even if she did not fully understand what was to come.
There is something powerful about staying when others leave. There is something transformational about seeking God even in moments of silence and apparent absence.
Mary stood at the tomb weeping. Her tears reflected her love, her loss, and her longing. But in that place of sorrow, something extraordinary was about to happen.
Sometimes, it is in our deepest moments of grief and confusion that God reveals Himself most powerfully.
The First Witness of the Resurrection
Mary Magdalene became the first person to encounter the risen Christ. This is both profound and intentional. In a society where the testimony of women was often disregarded, Jesus chose Mary to carry the greatest news in human history. This was not accidental. It was a divine statement.
God does not operate by human standards. He does not choose based on societal approval. He chooses based on His purpose.
Mary, once bound and broken, was now entrusted with the message of victory: “I have seen the Lord!”
Her encounter was personal. Jesus called her by name, and in that moment, everything changed. She recognized Him. The One she thought she had lost was alive.
This is the essence of Christianity: a personal encounter with the living Saviour.
Lessons from Mary Magdalene
1. Jesus Has Power Over the Spiritual World
Mary’s life is undeniable proof that no bondage is beyond the reach of Jesus. No matter how deep the oppression, no matter how long the struggle, Jesus has authority over every power of darkness.
Freedom in Christ is not partial; it is complete.
We must walk in that freedom and refuse to return to the chains that once held us. The enemy may attempt to revisit the past, but we must stand firm in the victory Christ has given us.
2. Our Focus Is Not Our Past but Our Future
Mary could have been defined by her past. Society may have remembered her as the woman who was once possessed. But Jesus redefined her identity.
She became a follower, a supporter, a witness, and a messenger.
Too often, we dwell on where we are coming from instead of where God is taking us. While it is important to appreciate the transformation, we must not remain anchored in past failures.
God’s grace is not just about what He delivers us from; it is about what He calls us into.
3. Christ Is Risen and Draws Near to His People
The resurrection is not a distant event. It is a present reality. Jesus is alive, and He continues to reveal Himself to those who seek Him. He still calls us by name. He still meets us in our moments of confusion and sorrow.
Like Mary, we are invited into a personal relationship with Him. Not a distant connection, but an intimate walk.
The question is: Are we seeking Him with the same persistence and devotion?
Conclusion
Mary Magdalene’s story is more than a testimony; it is a living proof that grace can rewrite any story, that light can break into the darkest places, and that an encounter with Jesus changes everything.
Her words, “I have seen the Lord!”, still call out to us today. They beckon us beyond religion into relationship, beyond memory into encounter, beyond fear into bold, living faith.
The risen Christ is not distant. He is present. He is calling. He is revealing Himself.
May we not settle for hearing about Him when we can truly know Him.
May our lives carry the evidence of His transforming power.
And may our hearts, like Mary’s, overflow with a conviction that cannot be silenced:
“I have seen the Lord!”
- Culled from faithgateway.com
Stay Blessed!
Please note that the preaching program on Sunny 88.7 FM – Tuesdays at 5:30 am has been temporarily put on hold. However, please continue to join us on Asempa 94.7 FM – Sundays at 5:30 am and YFM 107.9 – Sundays at 6:30 am for our Radio Bible Study, as well as on Sunny 88.7 FM every Sunday at 3:30 pm for Hymns and Their Stories.
