Spurgeon: July PM
* 07/15/PM
"He appeared first to Mary Magdalene."
--Mark 16:9
Jesus "appeared first to Mary Magdalene," probably not only
on account of her great love and persevering seeking, but
because, as the context intimates, she had been a special
trophy of Christ's delivering power . Learn from this, that the
greatness of our sin before conversion should not make us
imagine that we may not be specially favoured with the very
highest grade of fellowship. She was one who had left all to
become a constant attendant on the Saviour . He was her first,
her chief object. Many who were on Christ's side did not take up
Christ's cross; she did. She spent her substance in relieving
His wants . If we would see much of Christ, let us serve Him.
Tell me who they are that sit oftenest under the banner of His
love, and drink deepest draughts from the cup of communion, and
I am sure they will be those who give most, who serve best, and
who abide closest to the bleeding heart of their dear Lord. But
notice how Christ revealed Himself to this sorrowing one--by a
word , "Mary." It needed but one word in His voice , and at
once she knew Him, and her heart owned allegiance by another
word , her heart was too full to say more. That one word would
naturally be the most fitting for the occasion. It implies
obedience. She said, " Master ." There is no state of mind in
which this confession of allegiance will be too cold. No, when
your spirit glows most with the heavenly fire, then you will
say, "I am Thy servant, Thou hast loosed my bonds." If you can
say, "Master," if you feel that His will is your will, then you
stand in a happy, holy place. He must have said, "Mary," or else
you could not have said, "Rabboni." See, then, from all this,
how Christ honours those who honour Him, how love draws our
Beloved, how it needs but one word of His to turn our weeping to
rejoicing, how His presence makes the heart's sunshine.