IN HER SHOES

In her

ANNETTE OSBORNE | Children and Families Consultant, SUNZ shoes

‘…he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others…’ Luke 8:1-3

Mary Magdalene is one of the few women in the gospels who is named. She appears in only a handful of verses. We know little about her, but she was important enough to the gospel writers to record her name, especially in a period when women were rarely mentioned. Here in Luke she becomes one of Jesus’ followers. We don’t know what happened when Mary and Jesus met. But the reflection that follows illustrates how Scripture Union NZ explores the Bible with people of all ages. Imagine the scene… Grey stone houses of a small village sit on the edge of the Lake Galilee. Can you smell fish drying on the roofs and hear the sound of fishermen on the shore mending their nets? Olive grove are swaying in the breeze. Today, a crowd is gathering. The village is buzzing with news that Jesus, is coming this way While they know of his miracles and teaching, it is the latest story that has everyone talking. Jesus was sharing a meal with friends, when a woman burst into the room and fell at his feet in tears. The religious leaders were appalled at this. Instead of having her thrown out, Jesus took her side. Since then the word has spread that this teacher, Jesus, cares about the people that society rejects. There is a village family whose daughter Mary is said to be possessed by evil spirits. That huge shame has excluded them from village life. But today they have hope that Jesus will welcome their daughter.

Imagine Jesus cutting through the crowd and calling Mary by name! Jesus calls her out of the shadows and into the light. In that moment Mary’s life changes. She gathers her belongings, farewells her family and follows Jesus out of town. She leaves behind the expectations to be a wife and mother, and the protection of her household. All to follow Jesus. Imagine that we can interview Mary and ask her, ‘Why did you follow Jesus that day?’ Would she call herself courageous or some sort of super disciple? Would she simply point out all Jesus had done for her and the new life He offered her? Would she say that love compelled her or that she felt safe with Jesus? As we consider Mary, we think about our own response to Jesus. What helps us to follow him today? What does it mean for us to follow Jesus every day—not just last year or at some grand conversion moment in the past? What helps us to follow Jesus, together as a community? How might we encourage each other to listen to Jesus calling our name? The next mention of Mary is approximately three years later, in the shadow of the cross with a small handful of Jesus’ family and friends (John 19:25-27). In that place of brokenness, pain and deep distress, it would surely have been tempting to run away. Many of Jesus’ friends did just that, keeping suffering at an arm’s length. But not Mary. The deep conviction that caused her to follow Jesus in the first place, coupled with all she had experienced of Jesus’ ministry in the intervening years, enabled her to stay when others fled. The most significant account of Mary’s life describes her bearing a jar of myrrh and journeying in the dark of Sunday morning to prepare Jesus’ body for burial. In the chaos of discovering that the tomb is empty, Mary is left alone in the garden and is the first to encounter the risen Jesus. From among all Jesus’ friends, she was the one whom he calls by name. How significant is this, in a time when women were not often seen as the bearers of important news? Jesus chose her. Just a few verses bring to life a remarkable woman. Her life was shaped by the call of Jesus. As we examine her life, let’s be challenged by her example. If Jesus is worthy of following, what might this mean for our everyday lives?