Evening, August 9
Go To Morning Reading
“He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven
devils.”
Mark 16:9
Mary of Magdala was the victim of a fearful evil . She was possessed by not one devil only, but seven. These dreadful
inmates caused much pain and pollution to the poor frame in which
they had found a lodging. Hers was a hopeless, horrible case. She
could not help herself, neither could any human succour avail. But
Jesus passed that way, and unsought, and probably even resisted by
the poor demoniac, he uttered the word of power, and Mary of Magdala
became a trophy of the healing power of Jesus . All the seven demons left her, left her never to return, forcibly
ejected 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! Straightway she became a constant follower of Jesus , catching his every word, following his devious steps, sharing his
toilsome life; and withal she became his generous helper , first among that band of healed and grateful women who ministered
unto him of their substance. When Jesus was lifted up in crucifixion,
Mary remained the sharer of his shame : we find her first beholding from afar, and then drawing near to
the foot of the cross. She could not die on the cross with Jesus,
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 and watchful believer , last at the sepulchre where Jesus slept, first at the grave whence
he arose. Her holy fidelity made her a favoured beholder of her beloved Rabboni , who deigned to call her by her name, and to make her his messenger of good news to the trembling disciples and Peter. Thus grace found her a maniac
and made her a minister, cast out devils and gave her to behold angels,
delivered her from Satan, and united her forever to the Lord Jesus.
May I also be such a miracle of grace!