Mary Did You Know?: Part 3
Mary Did You Know?: Part 3 || Day 3
Luke 8:1-3 NKJV
Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.
Mark 16:9-11 NKJV
Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
John 20:1-18 NKJV
Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again to their own homes. But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to 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 to her.
The Bible tells us in Luke 8 that Mary was one of the ones who provided for Jesus out of her substance. According to historians and theologians Miriam was a woman of great wealth. If you look at the other women mentioned by name in Luke 8 you will see they are women who were married to wealthy and well-known men.
Mary Magdalene, or Miriam was a Jewish woman from the fishing town Magdala, on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. Some have taught that she was a prostitute, but there is actually no biblical evidence to prove that. She was delivered from seven demons. Some theologians believe that she suffered majorly physically and mentally because of the demon possession.
Imagine how shameful it must have been to have money, to have nice things, but can’t seem to be free from demons that torment you when they want to. Imagine how rough it must have been for it to be said of you, “She is a great business woman but you have to watch her because if them demons take over, she is going crazy.”
We are not sure how she came to Jesus or even how she heard about Him, but somehow, she was able to get in front of Him. And when she came to the Messiah all of a sudden, every demon in her began to tremble and cry out. You see those demons thought they would have a home in her forever. It’s not an accident that the Bible mentions how many came out of her.
The Bible tells us that she was delivered from seven demons. The number 7 is the number for completion. They thought they would never have to leave her. They thought they would always use her body, her mind, and her money for the kingdom of darkness. But one encounter with Jesus and all seven began to come out. They all left until there were none left in her anymore.
Now this woman who could not be helped by anyone else has finally found peace and freedom from the darkness that gripped her so violently. And church it’s from this encounter with Jesus that she makes it her life choice to follow Him and give to His kingdom from now on. And Church, the Bible says nothing about her running out of resources either. I believe that as she started giving to Him, all of a sudden, her business started exploding.
Preacher what are you trying to say? In 2023 you are going to see people who the devil thought he would have forever. People that he had placed the number 7 on their heads because his work was complete. But what he doesn’t know is when he thinks he’s done, God has just begun.