Hey, that'll preach!

I was reading over what I wrote yesterday and thinking about what I'd write today when I realized I was working out not just a weblog entry, but the sermon for the 29th! (You see, I've got to do that one a little in advance, because I'm at Calumet this next week.)

So I'm gonna pull the train I was running yesterday over on the siding. And you who read this humble servant's musings will recognize what you've read coming out in the sermon that morning!

That leaves me with today's entry. And I want to talk about Mary Magdalene a bit. She's an underdeveloped character in the gospels, but important. So important she's mentioned in all four! So important she's with Jesus when almost all abandon him--at the cross and at his burial.

What else do we know about Mary? She may be the "woman of the city" (read prostitute) who anoints Jesus feet in Luke's gospel--she's definitely mentioned as the one from whom Jesus exorcised seven demons. She and other women traveled with Jesus and helped support his ministry with their finances.

The Dan Brown book, The DaVinci Code would have you believe that Magdalene was much more--Jesus' wife and bearer of his son (the Holy Grail) and his descendants. There is no biblical warrant for such speculation. You might just as well say that she was his twin sister (with homage to Lucas). Can't prove or disprove it. Makes for an interesting read, I'm told though.

Mary stands out as a witness to the gospel for her faithfulness and for her activities on Easter morning. It is she, in each of the gospels, who first encounters the risen Christ. John's is the most detailed account. She mistakes Jesus for a gardener (is his appearance different), but recognizes his voice. She wants to give him a big ol hug but Jesus begs off (his body is somehow not ready for such attention). She is first to see him alive again, but also the first to realize that this new existence is different from the earthly presence they knew. He tells her to go and tell the others. And so she becomes the Apostle to the Apostles!

Quite an important character, as I said. What I didn't say is that this was way far from the cultural norm for the day. Women didn't run for president, have their own companies, or do any of the other things women enjoy the freedom to do now (not that we're all there yet). Women were second class citizens. But it is to Mary that Jesus first appears as risen Lord! You don't need to be high up on the social list to encounter Christ--you just have to listen for God calling your name!
And when God does--the question is--will you go and tell the others? I pray you do, and that I "go and tell" likewise.

My next entry will be from Calumet--see you there for Messiah's campout (the weather report is good!). Or see you back at church the 29th!

Pastor