Last at the Cross, First at the Tomb

"And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun."— Mark 16, 1, 2

Contributed

As Jesus hung on the cross dying, five of his followers stood nearby watching helplessly. Among them was John, his beloved disciple; his mother, Mary, and her sister, Salome; Mary, the wife of Cleopas; and Mary of Magdalene. Many of Jesus’ other followers watched from hiding places nearby. Yet only these five were close enough to offer consolation to their dying friend and Savior.

It is interesting that four of the five individuals mentioned were women. We see illustrated here some of the attributes especially manifested in the female gender which made these four women so close to Jesus’ heart. Despite feelings of confusion and fear, these followers endured the threat of persecution and punishment to offer consolation to our dying Lord and master. "These women had followed him and cared for his needs" according to Mark 15:41, and they continued to do what they could for him to the end.

No doubt Mary Magdalene was reflecting on her many experiences with Jesus as she watched this loved one die an agonizing death on the cross. Although Jesus had frequently spoken of his coming death, Mary like the disciples and other followers did not comprehend the meaning of his words. She, like the others, stood there to support this dear one in his hour of need. Not thinking of her own personal safety, she offered what comfort she could even though her heart was heavy laden. In spite of this gruesome spectacle and despite the fact that the man who had brought such hope to her life was being crucified, her faith and devotion remained strong and unshaken.

Seven Devils Cast Out

Mary had been a devoted follower of Jesus for some time. She is described in Luke 8:2 as "Mary of Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils." The Lord had performed a miracle which cast out the seven spirits that had plagued her. We are not told of the nature of the specific plague that was upon her, only of her liberation from the evil spirits and her subsequent walk with Jesus after this point. No doubt the bondage imposed by these spirits must have wreaked havoc on her emotional, moral, and physical life. Her dedication and devotion to the Lord are chronicled by subsequent references to her in the scriptures.

We learn in the eighth chapter of Luke that women among the followers of Jesus traveled after him as he went to cities and villages preaching the glad tidings of God’s Kingdom. This is in contrast to the customs of the time. Jewish men and women did not worship together, let alone did men tutor women students. Jesus was laying forth a principle later enunciated by the Apostle Paul when he stated: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:28). This is the foundation of the equity which exists in the church. Although there were different offices and duties, the body of The Christ was not biased as to gender, race, nationality, or position. Mary Magdalene’s travels with Jesus and ministering unto his needs served as an early illustration of this point. It also highlighted the importance of all members of the body putting forth that which they possess for the good of all.

Mary Magdalene not only nurtured Jesus and the apostles but also served to support them financially. While little is known of the origin or nature of her wealth, she was apparently a woman of some means. This seems indicated by the text cited in the paragraph below and by the fact that there is no indication that she was supported by a husband or that she had employment, and yet she traveled with the group for a time.

But unlike the rich young ruler, whose master was money, she and the other women traveling with Jesus made riches their servant. In Luke 8:2, 3, we receive insight into this matter where we read "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" (NAS). They freely gave that which they had in loving service and devotion to the master.

Mary stood near the cross as the sky darkened and the earth shook beneath her feet. A mood of tremendous gloom covered the landscape. Doubtless this was one of the most devastating experiences of her life as she watched the life of this perfect man slip into the oblivion of death. Despite the weight and horror of this experience, she stood by her master and went with Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea as they took the body of Jesus to the tomb. As the men hurried to wrap the body with linen and place it in the burial chamber, Mary stood by. She watched them prepare and anoint the body with the mixture of aloes and myrrh to make this a proper burial. The ritual was hurried as sunset and the Sabbath were near. Broken-hearted, Mary Magdalene and Mary mother of Joses watched as the two men struggled and rolled a sizable rock in place to seal the tomb’s entrance. This assured that the tomb would remain undisturbed until they returned after the Sabbath. According to the sixteenth chapter of Mark, the two women sat outside the tomb for a while, grief stricken and in disbelief yet ever loyal to their Lord and Master. These women deeply felt the loss of such a wonderful friend. But of course Jesus was much more, he had been their hope. This hope now lay in a state of confusion and bewilderment because they had not understood just how great was the hope Jesus offered, and they did not understand that his death was not the end of that hope, but the beginning of its completion.

A Final Token of Respect

On the day following the Sabbath, early in the morning before breakfast, Mary Magdalene was among the women who came to the grave. The preparations as the Sabbath had approached had been rushed, and no doubt the women wanted to more properly take care of the body. After all, this was their final act of love and respect for one who had touched so many hearts. This was yet another illustration of the loving devotion they had for the master, even after his death. The women wondered how they would move the rock, seeing as it had taken two men to put it in place. How could they so slight of frame move such a formidable obstacle? Then as if in answer to their dilemma, the earth quaked and an angel of the Lord rolled back the massive stone. Those that witnessed this spectacle were awestruck. The Roman guards were first paralyzed and then fled in fear. But the dear women who came to tend to the body, despite this frightening scene, drew closer to the tomb where they were greeted by an angel of the Lord. In Matt. 28:5-7 we read; "And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you." Doubtless, the angel’s message reminded them of Jesus’ statement that he would rise again on the third day. The women rushed from the tomb in a state of both fear and astonishment. They ran back to the disciples to deliver the angel’s message. As a result of her faith and dedication, Mary found herself in the role of giving the greatest message ever proclaimed to mortal man: HE IS RISEN!

Things had happened so quickly: Jesus’ glorious entry into Jerusalem, his exaltation by the cheering masses, the conspiracy against him and betrayal, his trial, crucifixion, and burial. Yet the message Mary was called to convey made all of these events start to make sense. Jesus had risen from the dead. When she conveyed the message to the disciples, John and Peter rushed back to the tomb to confirm what Mary had said and found. John and Peter went to the tomb and saw that the body had indeed vanished.

They returned to their home in amazement of what had taken place. Mary Magdalene had also returned to the tomb, but she did not leave. She lingered outside the tomb still crying. Her heart was broken by the loss of this loved one, yet the angel indicated that he had risen from the dead. This was a mysterious and difficult thing to comprehend. If only the master were here to tell her what she should do, to calm her fears, and to instruct her. As she once again approached the tomb, this time peering inside, she saw two angels, one sitting at the foot and one at the head of the burial slab. The angels inquired of her "Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him." (John 20:13-14). She turned to leave and encountered one whom she thought was the gardener. Her heart was still confused and forlorn. Jesus said to her "Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou hast borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master." (John 20:15-16). Instantly she recognized the Master’s voice, just as the sheep recognize their shepherd’s voice. What joy must have filled her heart! Now she had personally encountered the risen Master.

Only now did she start to comprehend the implications of the statement, "He has risen!" One who was so compassionate, so giving, so faithful, so contrite of heart, was privileged to be the first to see the risen Lord. Indeed this was a fitting reward for one whose heart condition was ready for the invitation to become a footstep follower in the new and living way about to be opened to just such as Mary. This is one whose experiences already evidenced a consecration of heart, first to Jesus, the perfect man, and now to the risen Lord. She wanted to cling to him, and hold him, but Jesus told her not to cling to him because he had work for her to do. His physical manifestation was all that Mary needed to truly proclaim in her heart that HE HAS RISEN!

A Bearer of Glad Tidings

Once again Mary ran back to town, and we imagine this time with joy untainted by confusion, this time not to deliver the announcement that he had risen, but that she had herself seen and spoken to the Lord and that he had indeed conquered death. Mary returned to the disciples and conveyed Jesus’ message to them. It was not long after that that the risen Lord appeared in their midst in the evening. Yet Mary was the one who was first blessed to see him—no longer as a man but after he was raised to his new spiritual glory, though in a human body prepared for the occasion as were other bodies on other occasions.

Although the scriptures are silent on Mary Magdalene after this point, we see from her beautiful character that no further witness is necessary. We feel confident that based on her resolve through fiery trials she continued in the faith. She had been plucked from the grasp of Satanic spirits, was privileged to travel and minister to the Lord, was with him as he entered Jerusalem, watched his crucifixion, assisted in his burial, witnessed the resurrection morn, acted as a messenger to the footstep followers, and was the first to talk to Jesus after his resurrection. Mary Magdalene’s example is that of complete devotion to the Lord and his cause, obedience at all personal costs, appreciation for his mercy and overruling prompting to service and sacrifice, trust in him no matter what confusion the circumstances may cause, faithfulness, and selfless love. Certainly the scriptures witness to the fact that it could be said of Mary Magdalene: "Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men" (2 Cor 3:2).