August 9, Evening
C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling
"He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven devils." — Mark 16:9 · KJV
Mary of Magdala was the victim of a fearful evil, possessed not by one devil only but by seven. These dreadful tenants brought much pain and defilement to the poor frame they had lodged in; hers was a hopeless, horrible case. She could not help herself, nor could any human aid avail. But Jesus passed that way, and unasked — probably even resisted by the poor demoniac — He spoke the word of power, and Mary of Magdala became a trophy of His healing might. All seven demons left her, left her never to return, forcibly cast out by the Lord of all. What a blessed deliverance, what a happy change — from delirium to delight, from despair to peace, from hell to heaven! At once she became a constant follower of Jesus, catching His every word, following His wandering steps, sharing His toilsome life, and became His generous helper too, first among that band of healed and grateful women who ministered to Him of their substance. When Jesus was lifted up in crucifixion, Mary shared His shame: we find her first watching from afar, then drawing near to the foot of the cross. She could not die on the cross with Him, but she stood as near it as she could, and when His blessed body was taken down, she watched to see how and where it was laid. She was the faithful, watchful believer — last at the tomb where Jesus slept, first at the grave from which He rose. Her holy faithfulness made her a favored beholder of her beloved Rabboni, who stooped to call her by name and make her His messenger of good news to the trembling disciples and to Peter. So grace found her a madwoman and made her a minister, cast out devils and let her behold angels, delivered her from Satan and united her for ever to the Lord Jesus. May I too be such a miracle of grace!