The online KPPI (Praise and Divine Healing Service) was held again on Thursday, October 22, 2020. The service was a live-streaming program aired through Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. The Word of God was delivered by Rev. Jacob B. Sumbayak, taken from John 20: 11-18 about Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene.
Mary Magdalene, The Disciple Who Loved Jesus Very Much
This message today continues what was delivered at the previous KPPI service about the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus (John 20: 1-10). Early in the morning, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb of Jesus. When she arrived there, she saw that the stone on Jesus’ tomb had been rolled away. She saw that Jesus’ body had gone. Immediately Maria ran into the city which was quite a distance to tell the other disciples. Finally, Simon Peter and John arrived at the tomb of Jesus. When they looked into the tomb and saw the neatly rolled up position of the burial clothes, they believed Jesus had risen and the body was not stolen. Then they all returned home.
John 20: 11-18 tells what happened to Mary Magdalene. She probably arrived at Jesus’ tomb later than the male disciples, who ran much faster. When the male disciples left after seeing the empty tomb, Maria remained in the tomb. While weeping, Mary began to look inside the tomb of Jesus. Mary was so sad because she lost Jesus, so she said to the angel, “Because they have taken away my Lord….” Maria was a disciple who really loved and followed Jesus, even supported Jesus’ ministry with her wealth.
Mark 16: 1-2
Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.
Because of her love for Jesus, Mary came to the grave early in the morning with spices for Jesus so that the body would not smell bad. When Mary came to Jesus’ tomb, she did not expect that Jesus would rise. Even the main disciples, like Simon Peter and John, didn’t understand, even more, Mary Magdalene and these female disciples. So when they saw the stone had been rolled away, they thought that Jesus’ body had been stolen.
Mary’s love for Jesus was very deep. When Peter and John saw Jesus’ body was not there, they believed that Jesus had resurrected and they went home. However, Mary wept for the loss of Jesus. A woman in her time was not really counted. But Jesus dealt with Mary because of her great love. Mary was the one who witnessed how Jesus was crucified, experienced torment, and witnessed how Jesus was buried until finally, she saw Jesus’ body had gone from the grave. She felt very sad.
On the day of Jesus’ burial, when it was getting late, only the female disciples stayed at the tomb. They were Mary Magdalene and other Mary. We can imagine this situation, maybe our loved one died and is finally buried. And we sit sadly by the grave. That was how Maria felt at that moment. Mary was a person who was changed by God, she had been delivered from being possessed by seven demons. Therefore, she loved Jesus so much.
Since the next day was the Sabbath, there was not allowed to do activity, so early Sunday morning she arrived at the tomb in order to give the spices to the body of Jesus. But her sadness had made Mary not aware of the presence of the Angel, not even knowing that Jesus himself had come to her.
Mary Magdalene Witnessed the Resurrection of the Risen Jesus
John 20: 14-15 “Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”
When Jesus said this to her, Mary did not think it was Jesus. She thought it was the gardener who spoke to her because she was so sad.
John 20:16 “Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).”
But when Jesus called her, it must have been with a special intonation, then she recognized it was the voice of Jesus. She knew it well since she had been with Jesus oftentimes. It was the voice of the One that she loved. The voice of Jesus who saved her and forgave her sins.
John 20:18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.
After meeting Jesus, Mary again had the strength to run into the city to tell the other disciples that she had seen the Lord who rose from the grave. A woman who was not counted at that time, but she was the first to see Jesus rose and speak to the risen Jesus.
Jesus Also Rose for You
What about us, will we believe that Jesus, who died, has risen for us?
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
If we believe in Jesus, we are saved and our sins are forgiven. When we die, we will also be resurrected, just like Jesus who was raised from the dead.
Isaiah 53:5, “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes, we are healed.”
When Jesus was crucified, He was bruised, and wounded because of our rebellion. He was crushed, destroyed for our transgressions. All the torments and humiliations were experienced by Jesus and He suffered until He was crucified on the cross. Because the wages of our crimes were borne upon Jesus, so in the end we are saved. Jesus did not die forever, but on the third day He rose and gave salvation to those who believe in Him.
For those of you who have believed in Jesus as Lord and Savior and if you are sick, Jesus’ stripes can also heal all illnesses. Two thousand years ago he was able to heal and even raised the dead. He is the same to this day (Hebrews 13: 8). By the stripes of Jesus, not that we may be healed or hopefully healed, but we are healed! Have faith in Him! Whatever our illnesses, believe that Jesus is able to heal us. [YF/EM]