PERSPECTIVE • Point of View – 4/9/23

For some Easter is simply a candy-filled holiday featuring the Easter bunny and egg hunts. For others it is something far greater. It’s about a God who loves us. It’s about Jesus dying on the cross and walking out of the grave so we can be forgiven, set free. Easter is something to celebrate! It changed everything and if you have accepted Jesus, are saved, born again, are a Christ-follower…you have something to celebrate! Everything has to do with our perspective. When you see Jesus’ sacrifice and the gift of salvation as the greatest event in history, it changes everything!

Scriptures – Mark 16:1-3, 6-7, 9-11; Colossians 2:15; Luke 8:1-3; John 20:13-16, 10:27

Verse – The next day, Jesus traveled through some cities and small towns. Jesus told the people a message from God, the Good News about God’s kingdom. The twelve apostles 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. (Lk 8:1-3)

Thought – Mary Magdalene was from the town of Magdala, thus the name distinguishing her from numerous Marys mentioned in the Bible. Jesus set her free from seven demons that possessed her. We don’t know her situation at that time, but we know she was affluent and associated with the dye and textile business centered in Capernaum. Maybe she was caught up chasing success, position, and power, worshipping herself, totally given over to Satan’s influence. Whatever the case she was wrapped in darkness until she met Jesus. Then everything changed. We see a striking contrast between the Mary who was possessed by seven demons and the Mary who stood beside the cross, who was first to find the empty tomb, and first to see the risen Lord! How could one living in the depths of sin advance to a front row seat at the greatest event in history? Looking at Mary between the time of her deliverance and the resurrection, some key factors emerge. 1) Mary showed gratitude. Scripture indicates she helped promote and support Jesus’ and the disciples’ ministry, using her means to advance the Good News. 2) Mary showed resilience. What she went through is unfathomable—being demon-possessed. Yet, Mary didn’t allow it to define her, no matter how scary it must have been. She lived like one who had been set free, full of kindness and optimism.  She was not trapped in the past, a victim…she was a victor! 3) Mary showed her work and she showed the way. Scripture references Mary eight times in connection with other women. She used her influence for the glory of God. She touched people’s lives to show them the way to God. 4) Mary showed courage. John is the only disciple who showed up at the cross. The others were hiding, keeping their distance, and afraid of being arrested and executed by association with Jesus. Mary was at the cross. She didn’t abandon Jesus nor allow the threat of arrest to keep her from being present in his darkest hour. 5) Mary showed her true colors. In a crisis, who a person is comes through. Are they committed, determined, loyal, or do they cave in. Mary showed her loyalty and commitment to her faith in Jesus. Lastly, Mary followed Jesus so closely that she knew his voice. At the tomb when she first encountered the risen Christ, she knew him when he spoke her name. Do you hear Jesus’ voice? Maybe he’s calling you to turn to him, to seek forgiveness, to be set free. 

Questions – How has gratitude for God’s gift of salvation changed who you are and what you do? Are you caught in a victim mentality because of the past, or do you live like one who has been set free? Do you show others the way to Christ? Do you stand by your faith in the face of adversity? Explain. How do you keep Easter from being just a commercialized holiday? 

Response – Show your gratitude for Jesus’ sacrifice. Share your faith. Stand for Jesus no matter the circumstance.

Prayer – My Lord, thank you for your sacrifice, for setting me free. May I always answer when I hear your voice and be obedient to your will. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.