Key verse:
“Mary Magdalene went and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord”
John 20:18
📖 Recommended reading
John 20:1–18 → Full account of Mary Magdalene: her search at the tomb, her encounter with the risen Jesus, and her mission as the first witness.
This passage reveals how a woman transformed by the love of Christ can become a bearer of hope. Mary was not only set free—she was sent. Her testimony inaugurates the proclamation of the resurrection.
🌿 Introduction
Mary Magdalene met Jesus in the midst of her brokenness. Freed from seven demons, her life was completely restored. From that moment on, she followed Him faithfully—even to the cross. Her story is that of a woman who never turned away from the Master, not in pain nor in uncertainty. She was the first to see the Risen One, and the first to proclaim Him.
👑 Her story
Mary Magdalene appears in the Gospels as a woman deeply transformed by Jesus. She was freed from evil spirits and became a faithful follower. She was present at the crucifixion, watching from a distance when many had fled.
On the third day, she went to the tomb with other women, but found it empty. As she wept, Jesus appeared to her—though she didn’t recognize Him at first. When she heard her name, “Mary!”, her eyes were opened. She was sent to announce the resurrection to the disciples.
Her testimony was the first to proclaim that death had been defeated. Though some doubted, her faithfulness and her encounter with Jesus marked the beginning of the apostolic mission.
✨ What it teaches us
Mary Magdalene leaves us with powerful lessons:
- Restoration comes before the calling: She was healed before she was sent.
- Faithfulness remains in pain: She did not abandon Jesus—neither at the cross nor at the tomb.
- Encounter transforms vision: She recognized the Lord when He called her by name.
- Testimony inaugurates the mission: She was the first to announce the resurrection.
💬 For reflection
Are you seeking the Lord even in the midst of pain? Do you recognize that your story can be used to proclaim life? Are you ready to declare that Jesus lives, like Mary Magdalene?