More than Healing

Guest Writer :  Matt :)

        It’s always been intriguing to me that Mary Magdalene is at center stage in the story of the resurrection story (John 20:1-18).  Mary is not typically considered a central character in the gospels, especially when considered in light of Peter, James, John, John the Baptist, and the likes of these.  When we arrive at the resurrection account, as readers, we expect some of the more critical characters to be at center stage.  The question is, why Mary Magdalene?  

  We know don’t know much more about Mary Magdalene.  We learn from Luke that she was a woman “who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out...” (Luke 8:2, emphasis mine).  We learn a bit more about Mary through her zeal for Jesus that’s evident in the story of the resurrection.  She arrived at the scene early in the morning (John 20:1) and she wept bitterly at the thought that Jesus’ body was stolen (John 20:11-15).  But again, why Mary Magdalene?  

  Mary was zealous, but she was also confused.  There are several elements in the story that underline the fact that Mary wasn’t expecting the resurrected Lord.  To start, she visited the tomb expecting to find a dead body to embalm. Second, upon realizing the absence of Jesus’ body, her first assumption is that his body has been stolen, not that he raised from the dead (as the “other disciple” clearly understood; John 20:8).  Third, that fact that she weeps bitterly further highlights this dynamic .  


        John also subtly points out Mary’s confusion by pointing out that when she arrived at the tomb, it was still dark (John 20:1).  The image of darkness from the outset of John’s gospel symbolizes those who have yet to enter into life with Jesus.  

        Does this imply that Mary, before believing in the resurrection of Jesus, was still in need?  Even though she was “healed” (Luke 8:2), does this account demonstrate that she needed more than healing in order to enter into the eternal life that John speaks of (John 3:16)?  

        I believe that this is exactly what John is communicating to us through the story of Mary at the tomb on the first day of the week (20:1).  Mary’s testimony is an incredible one.  Her life has the fingerprints of Jesus all over it.  Mary received a healing touch from Jesus prior to this resurrection story.  Jesus healed her of “evil spirits and infirmities”.  Jesus' healing presence inside of the life of Mary created in Mary a zealous love for her Lord and Rabbi.  

        But even though Mary was healed and zealous for her Lord, there was something about Jesus that she missed...something she misunderstood.  Even in her healed state and her love for Jesus, Mary was lacking.  Mary needs something more than healing.  

  This account of the events that transpired in the early hours of the most important day in the history of the cosmos tell us that Jesus offers something much more than healing.  Jesus is offering rebirth.  Jesus healed many, and the gospels make clear that being healed by Jesus is not the same as a transformed life.  


        Being healed by Jesus does not assure a place in the Kingdom (consider Malcus, who’s ear Jesus healed - Luke 22:50-51).  Jesus taught Nicodemus (who also came to Jesus “at night”) that only those who are born again will enter the Kingdom (John 3:3).  The story of Mary reminds us, once again, that Jesus offers much more than healing!  Jesus offers a new life!  

        
        Jesus does much more than heal, he RECREATES the heart of humanity.  He puts to death the “old man” marked by a spirit of death as rebellion and brings to life children of God in whom the Spirit of Holiness dwells (Romans 6 and 8).  He nails the spirit of rebellion to the cross and breaths new life into those whom he calls.  

  Easter Sunday reminds us that Jesus Christ doesn’t merely heal the sick, he calls the dead out of their tombs.  Easter reminds us that what Jesus Christ offers is not simply grace to forgive our sins, but grace to cleans us so that he can take up habitation in our hearts and create in us something new.  He not only takes care of the symptoms of our human condition (healing), but he takes care of the cause of our condition.  Jesus not only offers renewal, but he offers rebirth into a life of holiness.  Amen to the eradication of sin inside of the hearts of believers!  This is a life in the light.  


Are you in it?

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.  For if we have been united wit him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.  We know that out old self was crucified with him in order that that body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.  For one who has died has been set free from sin.  NOW if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also life with him (Romans 6:4-8).

He has risen indeed.  Have you risen with him?