Secret Places

Secret Places

Mary Magdalene

Read: Mark 16:9; Luke 8:1-3

Although a lot has been written about Mary Magdalene, little of it is based on fact. Some traditions identify Mary as the “sinful woman” of Luke 7, although the writer knew her personally and referred to her by name in the next chapter. Many people believe that Mary was a former prostitute, although the Bible gives no indication of this. Many legends about Mary Magdalene are based solely on imagination or questionable ancient documents. The fourteen times that the Bible mentions Mary tell us what we need to know.

The only clue the Bible gives concerning Mary’s early life is that Jesus cast out seven demons from her. Some people interpret this to mean that Mary was completely demon possessed; others think that it refers literally to seven evil spirits. We can only wonder how Mary looked and acted before Jesus freed her from demonic bondage. Did she resemble the violent, demon-possessed men in Matthew 8 who lived in a cemetery? Was she disheveled and wild-eyed? However the possession manifested itself, Jesus’ power transformed Mary into a strong, clear-thinking woman who became his devoted follower.

Even believers in Christ can suffer from Satan’s influence. We’ve all been shocked when an apparently model mother suddenly kills her children, or a woman who seemingly enjoys life commits suicide. Most of us have inner “demons” that torment us—sinful urges, painful past experiences, recurring thoughts of guilt or worthlessness. We may be able to hide things from other people, but God wants us to open these areas to him so that he can free us from bondage. Mary of Magdala changed from a demon-possessed woman to the first person privileged to see Jesus after his resurrection. We can’t live the transformed life that God intends for us until we give him access to our secret places.

“Can anyone hide from me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?” says the LORD.

Jeremiah 23:24