An Encounter with The Son of God (2)

The courts of the temple in Jerusalem had been filled with unholy traffic which represents the temple of our hearts. Because of sin we are defiled by the presence of sensual passions, unholy thoughts, and wayward wanderings. When Jesus cleansed the temple, He announced His mission to cleanse the heart from the defilement of sin, earthly desires, selfish lusts, and evil habits that corrupt the soul. 

Have you yet discovered that no one can of themselves cast out the evil throng that has taken possession of the heart? Have you discovered yet that only Christ can cleanse the soul temple? Sometimes it is a violent table turning affair that is life changing as Jesus marches to the centre of your life. I found that out years ago. Mary found this out centuries ago.

It must have happened sometime before Jesus began His public ministry. The story I am about to tell you does not come from one gospel alone. It is one of two stories that is included in all four gospels, and you have to assemble the puzzle from reading all the separate accounts. I will give you all the Bible verses at the end. However, it is John, who wrote the last gospel when the central person would have passed, that unlocks the puzzle and identifies Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus as Mary Magdalene. Following is the story that is revealed as you put together all the pieces from all four Gospels.

Bethany was about 5 kms from Jerusalem and it was there that we find that two sisters lived with their brother Lazarus. Martha was a good person, the kind that never did anything wrong. However, Mary had a secret load of guilt and misery that no one suspected and it had something to do with her uncle Simon the Pharisee. They were all at the feast that day, and Martha was serving.

Simon was a respected church leader. As the closest relative he looked after the parentless trio, but one day he began to look too long at Mary and because of his position he soon led Mary to give into his demands. Apparently, no one knew what was happening. Simon continued to lead out in the synagogue, Mary continued to smile and chat and charm. But the load of guilt she carried was almost overwhelming. She tried to break her uncle’s control. He threatened her with exposure and death. Mary gave up hope of freedom and lived a life of self-punishment. She became known as a loose woman. People talked and she left.

As the pieces of the jigsaw fall into place, we find that she travelled down the mountain to a village near the sea called Magdala, and it is here that she became known as Mary from Magdala or Mary Magdalene. She gave in to the temptation to earn some easy money. She had the looks – why not – she was already into it. The load of guilt became heavier and harder and harder. But she could not forget the happy days of Bethany before the death of her parents and Simon.

One day a travelling preacher came to Magdala. He had just cleansed the temple, now He was wanting to cleanse her life. He was saying things like “come to me all you who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt 11:28) “Whoever comes to me I will in no way cast out” (John 6:37). Mary lingered on the edge of the crowd listening. She had not heard anything like this before and her heart was strangely warmed.

When the crowds were gone, she poured out her great need for help. The travelling preacher went to His knees and prayed. Mary accepted her new master and was converted. Unfortunately, the story doesn’t end there. The preacher left town, but Mary didn’t. The same people, the same friends, and she fell.

This is the most beautiful story in all the Bible, because it tells how Jesus treated the fallen, but still accepted them. It is also a great prophecy because we are told it will be retold until the end of time. No doubt this is why all 4 gospel writers recorded it.

She next pops up in Jerusalem where she is used to frame Jesus. The door to the apartment that she had been enticed into burst open, and loud denouncing voices and hard hands grasped her and dragged her into the street, forced her through the crowd, and cast her at the feet of Jesus. Shouts of accusations filled the air as Mary huddled, trembling, waiting for the rocks to fall. Surely, she has filled her cup of guilt to the brim. Even Jesus wouldn’t be able to help her now.

As she waited in fear and shame, the mob grew silent. She braced herself for the first stone, but she hears the gentle voice of Jesus.

               “Women,” he said. This is the most respectable form of address. Remember He had used it to address His mother. Jesus bent down and wrote the sins of her accusers in the dust and one by one the rocks hit the ground beside them. Then crouching down, He told her she was free to start again. God is the God of new beginnings. There is no condemnation to those trusting in Jesus.

From then on Mary found it possible to stay at the feet of Jesus even when He is not in town. It is hard to sin when you are sitting there. Have you discovered that yet?

 Mary had a bright idea. She would go home to Bethany, to Martha and Lazarus. The power of Jesus would help her deal with her uncle Simon.  So what happens next?  TBC