Luke 8: 2-3  “Mary Magdalene out of whom seven demons were cast out.”

Mary Magdalene and others had followed Jesus Christ around and supported His ministry.  They had also been present at the crucifixion and now were also at the burial.  After placing the large stone over the opening, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary sat down opposite the now closed opening for a little while and then went home.

The Sabbath Day had ended with sundown on Saturday night.  So it was early the next morning, soon after the sun had risen that Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James and John,  and Salome were on their way to the tomb with sweet smelling spices to anoint Jesus’ body.  They were discussing how they were going to move the extremely large stone placed in front of the opening of the tomb.

Upon arriving at the tomb, the women were shocked and surprised to find the stone already rolled away.  Looking inside they saw two angels in dazzling clothing.  Trembling with astonishment and fear they did not know what to think.

Mary Magdalene and the other  women bowed themselves before these angels who said, “Why seek ye the living among the dead?  He is not here, He has risen as He told you.  Go and tell Peter and the other disciples.”  Peter and John did not believe either and ran to the tomb themselves.  They left in bewilderment not knowing what was happening.

This was His first appearance!  Mary Magdalene was now back at the tomb weeping and saw a man she thought was a gardener, but was actually Jesus Christ. ” 11 But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; 12 and she *saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying. 13 And they *said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She *said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” 14 When she had said this, she turned around and *saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus *said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing Him to be the gardener, she *said to Him, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” 16 Jesus *said to her, “Mary!” She turned and *said to Him in [a]Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means, Teacher). 17 Jesus *said to her, “Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I \ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene *came, announcing to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and that He had said these things to her.”

Jesus Christ’s second appearance was to the women on the road going away from the sepulcher.  He greeted them saying “Do not be afraid! ”  With great joy they took hold of Jesus’ feet and worshipped Him.  (Matthew 28:9-10)

The Scriptures do not tell us what seven demons Mary Magdalene had, but we do know that she proved her gratefulness to Jesus Christ for casting out the demons by staying close to Him no matter where He was.   She had told the man she thought was the gardener ” tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.” John 20:15  She also wanted to express her heartfelt gratitude that no matter where Jesus was she was going to live for Him the rest of her life.

The Better Way:  Let’s follow Mary Magdalene’s example and live for Jesus Christ for the rest of our lives!