Is there a Mary Magdalene in your life?

Tyrades! by Danny Tyree

If you could be the proverbial “fly on the wall,” what Biblical event would you most like to witness?

I realize some of you don’t accept the Bible in the first place. But if you do believe it, what scene would you love to see unfold before your eyes?

I imagine most people would go the Cecil B. DeMille route. They would choose something spectacular, such as the Israelites passing through the Red Sea, Noah’s ark riding out the Flood or Daniel remaining faithful in the lions’ den.

Me? I would love to see the early-morning encounter between Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene on Resurrection Sunday.

I can think of lots of words to describe the mood of Mary Magdalene and the other friends/followers of Jesus immediately following his arrest, mock trial and crucifixion: blindsided, dejected, disillusioned, heartbroken, anxious, fearful, rudderless…

Two days after the crucifixion, when Mary Magdalene discovered the empty tomb, it was not yet the symbol of hope that has inspired millions of Easter sermons throughout the centuries. The rock rolled away from the tomb left her confused and distraught. She implored the man whom she mistook for the gardener to tell her where her beloved teacher’s body had been relocated.

The “gardener” – in an action reminiscent of the Almighty God speaking to the prophet Elijah in a “still small voice” - needed to utter only one word: “Mary.”

Lost pets may wander home after 10 years. Loved ones feared drowned at sea may find refuge on a remote island before achieving contact with civilization. But has there ever been such a transcendent moment in human history as the “late” Jesus of Nazareth revealing himself to one of his inner circle?

Suddenly, Mary Magdalene’s earlier negative emotions gave way to relief, elation, comfort, joy and unprecedented zeal.

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