Title: Mary First Meets the Resurrection Lord
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Mary first met the risen Lord (John 20:11-18)
Dear saints! I pray that our resurrected Lord fills you and your family with grace and blessings this morning as well. Jesus, who was crucified, died a terrible death, and was buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, was resurrected after three days. It's a completely different body than before. He resurrected as a spiritual body, a glorious body in which spirit and body were united. Mary Magdalene was the first person to meet this resurrected Lord. We had the honor of seeing the resurrected Lord first.
I. Mary blessed by the Lord
Who is Mary Magdalene? The name Mary appears many times in the Bible. It was a very common name, such as the mother of Jesus, the sister of Lazarus who lived in Bethany, and the wife of Clopas. To distinguish them, they called Mary Magdalene. It means Mary from Magdalene. Magdala is located south of the Plain of Gennesaret (Galilee). Agriculture, fishing, fish storage, and shipping have developed. It was a prosperous city, a center of trade, and a lustful city inhabited by many foreigners. Mary was a woman possessed by seven demons. (Luke 8:2, Mark 16:9) This Mary Magdalene met Jesus. Jesus cast out this demon that was tormenting the woman. He cast out demons that troubled us physically, mentally and spiritually. Mary Magdalene was saved both physically and spiritually by the grace of the Lord. Dear all! We also received this salvation that Mary Magdalene received. I hope that you will become a saint who gives thanks for the grace of salvation.
II. Mary Dedicated to the Lord
After receiving the grace of forgiveness and healing through the grace of the Lord, Mary dedicated her body to the Lord. Mary dedicated her body, time, and material to the Lord and the gospel. They also served the Lord with cooperation and patience. Mary Magdalene was not in good standing. But a woman like Joanna was a lady. She was the wife of Guza, Herod's steward. It is not easy for people with different statuses and different circumstances to work together as one. Usually, there is something like a complex for people in difficult circumstances. Mary Magdalene overcame this problem of status. Everyone! Do you love the Lord? I pray that you will become a saint who is devoted to the Lord. Like Mary Magdalene, I pray that you will overcome all problems with a heart of love for the Lord and serve in cooperation with one another.
III. Mary loved the Lord to the end
IV. Mary testified of the risen Lord
The risen Lord said, “My Father and your Father, and my God and your God.” Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave, the Father of Jesus became our father who believed in Jesus, and the God of Jesus became our God who believed in Jesus. The relationship between Jesus and God became the relationship between us and God. This is the result of all the work Jesus accomplished when He came to this earth. Jesus said to Mary Magdalene, “I am risen. Therefore, my father has become your father, and my God has become your God. Now go quickly and tell the disciples this news.” Mary Magdalene became the first witness to the resurrection and became an evangelist.
Dear all! The Lord speaks to us today as well. ‘I was resurrected, testify to this gospel of the resurrection’ Now, I pray that we will become saints who testify of the resurrection of Jesus Christ with all our might.