We all have a past. You may have been raised in a wonderful Christian home, or you may have a very sorted past characterized by shameful sins that leave painful consequences. The wonderful thing about the past is that it is past. We can do nothing to change it, and there is no way to relive it. The Bible is full of accounts of those who were delivered from their pasts.
In Luke 8:1-2 we find Jesus preaching that the kingdom of God was at hand. Mary was from from Magdala. A city on the west bank of the Sea of Galilee. She was possessed by seven demons. When she encountered Jesus she was healed of her demon possession. She was so grateful for what Jesus had done for her that she became a committed follower of Jesus. Never do we see her past being brought to us by Jesus.
Luke 8:1-2 “And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,”
We see in Luke 8:3 that Mary Magdalene was one of those who ministered to Jesus and His disciples “of their substance.” They took what they had and supported them; this would include feeding, sheltering, and even money if needed. She was a woman who was grateful for all Jesus had done for her, and it showed in her provision for Him. While she did not have the full canon of scripture as we do, she understood the heart of Jesus revealed in Hebrews 8:12: “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.”
Luke 8:3 “And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.”
In John 19:25, we find Mary Magdalene at the foot of the cross during the crucifixion. She was there bearing this tragedy with His mother and others who loved Him. “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.” The one who had set her free from the demons that sought to ruin her life would be dead in a few hours. I cannot image the anguish her soul must have felt. We know the rest of the story, but at that time, they did not understand what would happen in three days.
Early on the third day, there were several women who went to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body only to find the tomb open and His body gone. We find the account of Mary Magdalene being the first one to whom Jesus revealed Himself after His resurrection. In John 20:11-18 we have the account of Jesus speaking to Mary Magdalene. When He speaks there is no doubt to her that it is Jesus.
John 20:11 “But Mary stood without at the sepulcher weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down and looked into the sepulcher, And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto 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. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have 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. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord and that he had spoken these things unto her.”
When we are children of the King, we know when the Master speaks. When He speaks our name, we are to obey. Mary Magdalene had a choice to believe this miracle and obey or seek man’s ways of understanding and disobey. We, too, have a choice. If He is our Master, we will obey with a love that surpasses all understanding. It will be a joy to please the Savior.
Just like Mary Magdalene, we can rejoice in the knowledge that when we repent of our sins, trust Jesus, and follow Him in obedience, He will never leave us or forsake us. He will cast our sins as far as the East is from the West. Our past does not define us if we are His. He forgives and chooses not to remember in a manner that holds our forgiven sins against us.
Psalms 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”
Hebrews 13:5 “for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
