Mary Magdalene, who was healed by Jesus from seven demons, was the first to see him after his resurrection. Her past, filled with struggles and healing, made Jesus’ disciples doubt her when she told them about Jesus’ return. This raises an important question: Did her history of possession and mental challenges make the disciples less likely to believe her?
Mary, from the town of Magdala, was an early follower of Jesus. The Bible says she was with him during his crucifixion and was one of the first to know about his resurrection. Over time, her story has been changed by many, from church leaders to filmmakers. Some said she was a prostitute who Jesus saved, while others believed she was more than just a follower, possibly even his wife.
Mary Magdalene’s story is more than a biblical tale; it shows how society often judges people based on their past, especially those who have faced mental health or addiction issues. People who have overcome such challenges can still be seen with doubt, affecting how others view their honesty and stability. This is still a problem today, just as Mary’s status as a woman in her time made it harder for her to be believed.
In this blog, we will explore the complexity of belief, the struggle of overcoming past perceptions, and the inclusive, forgiving nature of Jesus’ teachings.
What Exactly Happened at Easter?
Long before Easter, the disciples had believed in Jesus and received eternal life. As Easter approached, Jesus told His disciples He would die and rise again, and they flat out refused to believe it.
On Easter, all of His disciples huddled in a room mourning His death because they did not believe He would rise again. On Easter, an angel sent word to Jesus’ disciples that Jesus had risen from the dead and they did not believe it. On Easter, Mary Magdalene saw Jesus risen. When she told the disciples the good news, they did not believe her. On Easter, Jesus showed Himself to the disciples. He let them feel His wounds. They did not believe He had risen until they saw Him eat. Until Easter, the disciples did not believe Jesus would die for their sins and rise from the dead.
What the Bible Says About Mary Magdalene
All four books in the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) mention Mary Magdalene at Jesus’s Crucifixion. However, only Luke talks in detail about her, describing her as one of the women healed by Jesus. According to Luke, Mary joined Jesus and his disciples after he removed seven demons from her, helping to spread his teachings. The name ‘Magdalene’ refers to her hometown of Magdala in ancient Palestine, now part of northern Israel.
Robert Cargill,assistant professor of classics and religious studies at the University of Iowa and editor of Biblical Archaeology Review, notes that Mary Magdalene was a significant figure among Jesus’s followers. Her name being mentioned in the Gospels highlights her importance, as many of Jesus’s followers are unnamed.
Mary Magdalene also witnessed Jesus’s crucifixion and was a central figure in the story of his Resurrection. On Easter Sunday, she found Jesus’s tomb empty, either alone or with other women, depending on the Gospel account.
Cargill emphasizes the crucial role of the women, including Mary, in discovering and announcing Jesus’s Resurrection. In John’s Gospel, Jesus even appeared to Mary Magdalene first after his Resurrection and asked her to tell his disciples about his return.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus actually appears to Mary Magdalene alone after his Resurrection, and instructs her to tell his disciples of his return (John 20:1-13).
Was Mary Magdalene’s Status Downplayed Intentionally?
Despite her significant role in the Bible, some early Western church leaders tried to lessen Mary Magdalene’s impact by labeling her as a sinner, specifically a prostitute.
Cargill suggests that Jesus’s empowering of women early in his ministry might have caused discomfort among later male church leaders. This led to two main responses: one was to depict Mary as a prostitute. To do this, early church figures merged Mary Magdalene’s story with other biblical women, including an unnamed sinner in Luke who anoints Jesus’s feet, and Mary of Bethany, also mentioned in Luke. In 591 A.D., Pope Gregory the Great reinforced this confusion in a sermon, merging these different figures into one and identifying them all as Mary Magdalene.
Cargill notes that portraying Mary Magdalene as a prostitute served to undermine her, suggesting she couldn’t have been a leader due to her supposed past. However, there was also a contrasting view that elevated Mary Magdalene, with some arguing she might have been Jesus’ wife or a special companion.
Pope Gregory the Great solidified this misunderstanding in a sermon: “She whom Luke calls the sinful woman, whom John calls Mary [of Bethany], we believe to be the Mary from whom seven devils were ejected according to Mark.”
What was Jesus’ Response to his Disciples’ Unbelief?
The shadow of the past often obscures the reality of personal transformation, making it hard for others to recognize and trust a changed individual. Rebuilding trust is a gradual process. However, in the biblical account, Jesus disrupts this common societal dynamic by choosing Mary Magdalene to deliver the most crucial message of all: the news of His resurrection. In doing so, Jesus demonstrated a profound belief in healing and renewal, offering a striking contrast to the usual doubts and skepticism of society.
Jesus’ reaction to his disciples’ disbelief offers a meaningful message. After his resurrection, Jesus trusted Mary Magdalene to share the news, challenging societal norms that often doubt a person’s transformation. This decision highlights Jesus’ belief in healing and change, offering a different perspective to the usual skepticism.
Mary Magdalene was not just a witness to the resurrection; she was the first to fully believe in it (an intriguing more in-depth take on Mary’s relationship with Jesus is in ‘Light in a Cool Dark Place’ by Susan Grohmann.) This belief was in stark contrast to the doubt shown by Jesus’ other followers, including the disciples on the road to Emmaus, who faced similar skepticism.
When Jesus encountered disbelief among his disciples, he used it as a teaching moment. He corrected them, showing that even saints make mistakes. This episode in the gospel teaches that spiritual growth often involves correction and learning from errors. In Christian faith, particularly in Catholicism, the journey towards faith is seen as ongoing healing and development, not just about becoming perfect saints.
“Every Saint Has a Past”
The gospel emphasizes that imperfect people are often the ones called to bear witness to Christ. This is illustrated by Peter and John, ordinary men without formal religious education, whom Jesus chose to disseminate His teachings. Their story reminds us that Jesus tends to “train the called” instead of “calling the trained.”
True devotion to Jesus is reflected in our deeds and way of life, evident even through our flaws. Jesus doesn’t seek flawlessness, but rather sincere love for Him and for others.
We, similar to the early disciples, are flawed beings entrusted with the task of spreading Christ’s love in a flawed world. Jesus’ selection of Mary Magdalene, as well as each one of us, highlights a critical truth: He knows and loves us despite our imperfections.
The message is clear: redemption and trust in transformation are central to the Christian faith, a faith that embraces all without discrimination, regardless of their imperfect pasts.
