Women

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Growing up female I have looked to many women who paved the way for my future successes. My mother is one such person. She bore nine children, suffered the death of her second infant son, and managed to raise eight children. She made sure we were in church on Sundays with clean clothes and a decent pair of shoes on our feet. My mom was an aspiring example of what A Godly woman should be. I never heard her say one cuss word, she didn’t drink, nor did she smoke. Other courageous and righteous women lit the path along my journey into womanhood. Some were heroines from the past like Rosa Parks, who sat down for her rights. . There were women who bandaged the wounded the best they could during the civil war, and queens who were unjustly beheaded. But there was one woman who stands out among the crowd. One such woman that wiped the very feet of Jesus with her own hair. I would like to pay homage to Mary of Magdala.


When I think of Mary I think of many things. First and foremost: Jesus cast out seven demons from her. I think of how much he loved her despite those demons. He delivered her in all her mess. He set her free! Despite ourselves and the mess we create in our lives the Lord still wants to deliver us from our trespasses.What a mighty Lord he is!After her deliverance she chose to became a devout follower . Other women followed her example. She was a leader in her own right.Mary, along with these women helped finance Jesus's three year ministry. She stayed by his side to the bitter sweet end. And don't you know that He used Mary M. as a vessel to go and tell of His resurrection?How many of us would give up everything...to follow Him. If you were asked to give up your home and all your money, would you? I have often asked myself that same question. As tough as it may seem, I think we need to be in that "place". We need to be in that frame of mind where nothing else matters but Jesus Christ. What did Mary have to lose? I think when those demons were released and she was born again in Christ, a new creature, she had everything to gain. I see a woman renewed, made whole by the blood of the lamb. I see Mary, grateful, for having been given another chance.I was that same woman. I am Mary. I had demons released from me. How many? I really don't know. But I know that I too was given another chance. As a matter of fact I was given many chances. The Lord never gave up on me, even when I chose not to follow him.As I have matured as a Christian I have come into a new light. My breaking news is that today I choose to follow Jesus. I have sacrificed much to be near his side. But none can compare to the sacrifice he made for me. Now I know some folks argue that Mary wasn't the one and same that kissed the feet of our Lord and anointed them with her ointment. I for one believe differently. While the bible (Luke chapter 7 verses36-46) doesn't mention this was Mary M.,how do we know it wasn't? I believe that while she was anointing His feet with her ointment that this was symbolic for what was yet to come :His death and burial. Maybe Mary knew something, others didn't.










For while I can say I love the Lord with all my heart, Mary's love for Jesus stood out from among the rest. I believe when she entered the house of Simon that day to get a glimpse of God;she really had no idea of what was about to occur. I think that she was so taken with Jesus that she simply wanted to see His face. I know for I my self have been in such a place.
I too have walked in that very same room a sinner many times over , hoping to see the face of God...hoping-He’d take notice. I too, have walked in that room where others turned and whispered to their neighbors .Most assuredly I must have stopped traffic a time or two from news of a forth night. There was a time that I knew that my sins were front page news. I chose to keep walking in them for fear of being cast out by the church or my family.

But one day, much like Mary, I wanted to touch the face of God. I wanted to to be cleansed of my sins. The alter I had prepared just wasn’t enough. I had to walk in that room with the Pharisees and complete my purification . Now I know I wasn't there when Mary walked in that room, but I was Mary many times over. I know she was at that breaking point. I know she didn’t care about anything except to be in the same room with Jesus, even if for a minute. Now just think:she wept at his feet, then wiped them off with her hair. She didn’t stop there. She took her most expensive ointment(or perfume) and anointed His feet. She sacrificed something of hers for Jesus. And it wasn’t just anything! It probably took her months to save for this expensive ointment. Apparently...she thought the Lord was worth it! I often think what have I sacrificed for Jesus. What have I given to him without complaining?

What great courage it took to stay in that room with Jesus, while being the only woman. The “talked about’ woman. I don’t know how long she stayed in that room, the bible doesn’t say. But when she proceeded to anoint His feet the Pharisees began talking amongst themselves . They didn’t have one kind word to say. But Mary stayed. It was her time , her season. It was her minute with Jesus. She took that minute and what happened next I’m sure influenced her walk with Jesus until his death. “Who is this woman?”, they questioned our Lord. The Lord then asked which one of them washed His feet with water and then anointed His feet with ointment.”Therefore I tell you, her sins , which are many are forgiven, for she has loved much." He turned to Mary and said”Your sins are forgiven, your faith has saved you, go in peace.” (Luke 7)
For Mary that must have been her moment. Her true intimate encounter with Christ. I can picture the room full of gossiping Pharisees and a weeping woman who just wanted to see the face of Jesus and be set free.
My parents say that I wasn’t meant to have a middle name. But, because I was born on Good Friday they say, I was given the name Mary. I’m not sure which Mary they named me after, but I know which Mary





I was destined to be... Mary of Magdala. I toted my sins around for years. I was that woman the Pharisees gossiped about. The same women that smiled at me were the ones who tried to ruin my name when the doors of the church were closed.
There was a day, much like Mary that I simply wanted to see the face of Jesus. Nothing else mattered. It didn’t matter who was in the room or what was being said. All I wanted was Jesus. I guess you could say that Mary is one of my heroines. Facing all adversity she chose to follow Jesus. She gave up her old way of life and put everything down to follow the Lord.
As women we can surely learn a lot from Mary. I know I have. She is one heroine I choose to admire. I am awe struck with her faith and courage. Would you gladly give it all up..to follow Jesus? I myself would like to be "more like Mary". I am honored to have been blessed with such a name, for I too am forgiven, and my faith has saved me. My God given name is Magdalena...for the Lord has set me free!






And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Therefore if the Son makes you free,you shall be free indeed.

John 8:32-36

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