Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“Now after he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons.”
NL Daily Devotion for Wednesday, April 15, 2020
by Daniel D. Maurer, Clergy Stuff
Although I prefer Mark to end with verse 8 of chapter 16 (I’m showing you my bias for the “first ending of Mark”), the next verses are telling in what Jesus does and who he visits after his raising.
He first comes to Mary Magdalene. Scholars speculate that the special relationship between Jesus and Mary M. was a thing. Some go so far to say as it was Jesus’ girlfriend. Others merely hint that their relationship was special . . . whatever that means.
What’s certain is that, in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus considered Mary the first person worthy to appear to over all the other disciples.
That’s intriguing.
Over Peter, James and John and the rest of the whole thundering bunch . . . Mary was chosen to be the first witness. How or why was she different?
The answer to that question is too complex to address in a daily devotional, but we can gather this much—Jesus isn’t afraid to reveal God to those hungering most for God.
Some days, I’m ravished, literally starving for God. Other days, I’ve had my fill. When I’m desperate, God is there, because God comes to those for whom the message is most real, like it was for Mary M.
God, thank you for coming into my life. Amen.
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