Spurgeon: August PM
* 08/09/PM
"He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast
seven devils."
--Mark 16:9
Mary of Magdala was the victim of a fearful evil . She was
possessed by not one devil only, but seven. These dreadful
inmates caused much pain and pollution to the poor frame in
which they had found a lodging. Hers was a hopeless, horrible
case. She could not help herself, neither could any human
succour avail. But Jesus passed that way, and unsought, and
probably even resisted by the poor demoniac, He uttered the word
of power, and Mary of Magdala became a trophy of the healing
power of Jesus . All the seven demons left her, left her never
to return, forcibly ejected by the Lord of all. What a blessed
deliverance! What a happy change! From delirium to delight, from
despair to peace, from hell to heaven! Straightway she became
a constant follower of Jesus , catching His every word,
following His devious steps, sharing His toilsome life; and
withal she became His generous helper , first among that band
of healed and grateful women who ministered unto Him of their
substance. When Jesus was lifted up in crucifixion, Mary
remained the sharer of His shame : we find her first beholding
from afar, and then drawing near to the foot of the cross. She
could not die on the cross with Jesus, but she stood as near it
as she could, and when His blessed body was taken down, she
watched to see how and where it was laid. She was the faithful
and watchful believer , last at the sepulchre where Jesus slept,
first at the grave whence He arose. Her holy fidelity made her
a favoured beholder of her beloved Rabboni , who deigned to
call her by her name, and to make her His messenger of good
news to the trembling disciples and Peter. Thus grace found her
a maniac and made her a minister, cast out devils and gave her
to behold angels, delivered her from Satan, and united her for
ever to the Lord Jesus. May I also be such a miracle of grace!