5 "The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee.There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” Matthew 28:5-7

Of all the people surrounding and following Jesus, Mary Magdalene is one of the most interesting of all. In fact, she is my favorite saint! Even at His crucifixion, Mary Magdalene stood and wept with Jesus' mother Mary. In this Scripture today, we see that she is the one at Mary's side that Jesus chose to tell humanity about His resurrection. He could have chosen anyone to herald this startling and life-giving news, but it was His close friend, Mary Magdalene, who had this awe-inspiring privilege to see the empty tomb, even before the apostles, and send them on to Galilee!

Partly why we can learn so much from Mary Magdalene is that she was a woman of great faith with a storied past. Yet Scripture tells us there is no sin that cannot be forgiven in Jesus name. There is no sin so dire that it is beyond God's healing reach.

In essence, Scripture leads us to believe that she  'did a lot of living' before coming to Jesus' side as his close, blessed friend and confidant. In that way, she was a commoner, a repentant sinner, that was welcomed by Jesus with open arms despite her seeming past.

Jesus' had a profound love for Mary Magdalene, and she became a big part of his unparalleled ministry to humanity as Savior of the world. In fact, that is the very same love He has for you and for me, my friend. What greater love can there be than to lay down one's life for mankind?
                                                         Adele M. Gill   2014  Copyright