Page 13 - January 2025 - Truth & Tidings

Christ, and to die is gain,” and sweetly yet ascended to my Father: but go to my
nodded her head in agreement (Php 1:21). brethren, and say unto them, I ascend
What gave Mary Magdalene such a unto my Father, and your Father; and to
burning desire to be near the Lord Jesus, my God, and your God” (Joh 20:17)? What
and how can I be more like her? Firstly, at first seems cold and callous is, in fact,
she never lost the appreciation of her fundamental and fabulous. This was truth
salvation. Luke records, “Mary called that Mary Magdalene could cling to for the
Magdalene, out of whom went seven rest of her days, and she was the very first
devils” (8:2). What dark bondage Mary of to receive this instruction on the other side
Magdala had known! What sweet release of the cross. The Lord Jesus introduced to
and salvation the Savior had brought to her the reality of a new relationship. He
her! Was the bondage of our sin any less? was highlighting to her that the work of
Do we have any less cause for joy in the the cross has brought believers so close
freedom of salvation? Secondly, Mary’s that they are in the very family of God.
thankfulness motivated her in service for The Lord Jesus also trusted her with a
the Lord. Luke chapter 8 reveals to us that, new responsibility. Some have referred to
along with Joanna and Susanna, she pro- Mary Magdalene as “The Apostle to the
vided practical and financial support to Apostles,” and indeed she was entrusted
the Lord in His ministry. Do my calendar to deliver these amazing words to the
and bank account reveal a life surrendered disciples. Mary's closeness to Christ meant
to the things of the Lord? she was the first to hear such sweet truth.
In my home assembly in New Jersey,
Clinging to Christ there is a very dear believer who ranks
We have already considered so many with Mary as those who are close to Christ.
ways in which Scripture shows deference She was born in Jamaica. Because of her
to Mary in her devotion. Perhaps no honor albinism, her mother left her at an orphan-
is as meaningful as the reality that she was age as a young girl. However, it was there
the first to see Christ after the resurrection. at the orphanage that she was befriended
If you would like to review the details of by believers who introduced her to the
this meeting, they are beautifully laid out Lord Jesus. In recent years, she has been
in the April 2024 edition of this magazine. bereaved of her husband and seen her
It is likely true that a type is being pre- world fade with failing eyesight. If you
served. The woman of the garden, Eve, were to speak to Faye today, she would
sinned and experienced separation from express no interest in going backward to
God as the fruit of disobedience, yet here, change the past, but rather yearns for the
Mary Magdalene, also in a garden, enjoys future when she will be with Him. The
a reunion with Christ and the fruit of the truth is that closeness to Christ in this life
tree of Calvary. prepares us for His presence in the world
It seems right and natural that the to come. “Yea doubtless, and I count all
woman who was saved by Him, who things but loss for the excellency of the
stayed close to Him, and who sat by His knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for
tomb would now cling to Him in the whom I have suffered the loss of all things,
resurrection. So why is the Lord’s instruc- and do count them but dung, that I may
tion to her, “Touch me not; for I am not win Christ” (Php 3:8).

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