Part 1

As I write this it’s even hard for me to believe the things that have transpired in my life. So much has happened it’s almost too wonderful to put into words how Jesus totally and utterly changed me. It’s only because of him that there is any hope in my words at all. 

If it hadn’t been for him I would still be a broken woman. You see, I was tormented day and night. Constantly angry, violent and sometimes I couldn’t even recall where I had been or what I had done for days at a time. I would often wake up with cuts on my arms, bruises on my body and vomit on my clothes. I hated everyone but I hated myself most of all. 

Everyone in town would call me witch and crazy lady or they would shout “unclean” at the top of their lungs. I wanted to die. Sometimes I would pray hoping there was a god and that he would kill me. I had no love in my heart only hate. Something in me wanted to change but I just didn’t know how. 

I didn’t know where to turn so I just existed. I thought life would never get any better. That is until one day I saw a large crowd gathering in my city. This was strange because nothing ever happened in my city.

I couldn’t make out what was going on through the crowd. I just noticed people with all kinds of issues. Some were very sick, some blind and some crippled. They all seemed to be surrounding one man in particular but I couldn’t make out who it was. 

At first I thought I would just ignore it. I didn’t like those people anyway. But for some reason I just couldn’t pull myself away. I found myself getting closer and closer until I was standing in the crowd watching. 

As I watched, the man they called Jesus, began to heal the sick. With no thought to himself or his reputation he would reach out and touch any who were unclean, even the lepers.  Others he would merely speak a word and they were completely healed.  

Watching the people getting well simply by the touch of his hand or the word of his mouth sparked a glimmer of hope in me. ‘Could this man be the answer to my torment’, I thought? If he touched me could I be made well? Would I finally be free of this hate and experience joy? 

While I was pondering this, that’s when the unexpected happened. For some unforeseen reason the crowd parted and the man looked straight at me. As if he already knew my thoughts. Then the unthinkable happened, he called my name. 

“Mary!” He said. It was at that moment I lost total control. My body fell to the ground, I started convulsing and everyone backed away. 

Through the fog in my mind I could see him calmly walk toward me even as everyone else backed away. That’s when he touched me.

Taking hold of my hand he spoke again “Come OUT!” he said. The sound of his voice was like the purest water and as mighty as a rushing river. Immediately I was filled with a peace I had never known and an unspeakable joy I didn’t think was possible. 

When I opened my eyes, I was looking into the face of Jesus. The one who delivered me from seven demons that had plagued my life for so long. My hate was gone; my despair was no more and now I had hope. Finally, I was free! 

Then he smiled at me as if to say, ‘Mary, this is just the beginning.’ Immediately I got up and followed him. This, I thought, is going to be a great day. 

Something To Think About:

• Mary Magdalen’s story is one being set free from bondage. What has Jesus delivered you from? What do you need him to deliver you from?

• Take time to meditate on this verse today.

John 8:36

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

• As Mary’s life progresses she becomes one of Jesus’ most faithful followers. In part, because of the amazing life change she experienced. Why do you follow Jesus?

Look up these verse to build your faith:

• Luke 8:2
• Matthew 27:61
• 2 Corinthians 3:17
• Galatians 5:1