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Dr. W's Reflections...
As we remember the “Mary Magdalenes” and “Marys” in our lives, let us thank God for how these precious women shared their stories of faith with us–stories full of “How Great Thou Arts” and the “Blessed Assurances” of how it can be “Well” with our souls. As we reflect upon their impact and influence in our lives, let us be encouraged to keep writing our own stories of faith today.
We have been blessed to be a blessing! The life we share together as a church family is special, because the life we share together as a church family has been made sacred by God. And so, let’s keep praying: “Lord, send people to us, and send us to people.”
The Lord be with you,
Wyatt
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MARY MAGDALENE AND THE OTHER MARY (Matthew 28:1-10)
“After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.”
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary (cf., Matthew 27:56) mentioned here in Matthew’s Gospel were devoted followers of Jesus. They were among the “many women” (Matthew 27:55) who had followed Jesus to the cross. They, no doubt, had stood in the “darkness” while Jesus was on the Cross. And when Jesus had breathed His last, they, no doubt, had felt the earth shake. And what is more–they might have even heard the Roman Centurion–upon seeing what had happened–praising God and saying, “Surely he was the Son of God!” (27:54; cf., Luke 23:47). But now, it is early on Sunday morning. Could it be that Mary Magdalene and this “other” Mary went to the tomb at dawn because they had not only heard, but had actually believed what Jesus had said to them on more than one occasion: “The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again” (Luke 24:7)? Could it be that it was their faith that explains why Mary Magdalene and this “other” Mary were not only the first witnesses of the empty tomb, but were also the first followers of Jesus to see Him following His resurrection? We’ll never know for sure. But we do know this: Mary Magdalene and this “other” Mary were also the first followers of Jesus to receive words of commission asking them to go and tell the other disciples to go to Galilee so that they could meet with Jesus there.
It is good to hear their story again today. Their story reminds us to be thankful for all the “Mary Magdalenes” and “other Marys” whom God has used to bless and encourage us in our journey of faith. And so, let’s be thankful for those women who “clasped” hold of the truth of Jesus instead of being occupied by an empty way of life apart from Jesus.