Women in white raiment

by John Lemley

THE UNINVITED GUEST.

Now see what followed. “They that sat at meat with Him began to say, within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?” Simon and his friends were offended because there was no sympathy in their hearts for Christ and His works of mercy. They did not desire the salvation of this woman who had come in to their feast. It did not once occur to them that Christ could know the character of the woman and yet be willing to let her approach Him that He might forgive her sin. They saw only a man, and said, “Who is this that forgiveth sins also?” Only God could do that. But she saw a Saviour before her, and our Lord fearing the cavil of the Pharisees might distress the woman, He said to her, “Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace!” He would get her away from the doubting Pharisees as quickly as possible.

It is worthy of observation that, notwithstanding the beautiful exhibition this woman gave of her love and affection, it was her “faith,” not her love, that saved her.

Tradition identifies this woman as Mary Magdalene, a native, it is thought of Magdol, the modern Mejdel, a town on the west shore of the Sea of Galilee, and south of the plain of Gennesaret. The present village lies close to the water’s edge, and, Tiberias excepted, is the only place on the western coast of Galilee which survives the wreck of time.

Much is said by the Talmudists of her wealth, her extreme beauty, her braided hair, but all we know of her from Scriptures is her enthusiasm of devotion and gratitude which, henceforth, attached her, heart and soul, to her Saviour’s service. For we read, “And it came to pass afterward,” after this feast in the house of Simon the Pharisee, that Jesus “went through” the cities and villages of Galilee “preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God,” and “certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others,” “ministered unto Him of their substance.” Thus we find this woman, with others, ministering to the temporal necessities of our Lord.

In the last journey of Christ to Jerusalem, Mary Magdalene accompanied the women who were in the company. She was also among the women on the day of crucifixion who “stood afar off, beholding these things” during the closing hours of the agony on the cross, and remained till all was over, waited till the body was taken down, and wrapped in the linen cloth and placed in the sepulchre of Joseph of Arimathea. Thus, this loving, faithful woman, true to her nature, clung to her Lord to the very last.

On the morning of the resurrection, Mary Magdalene was among the women who found the tomb of our Lord empty. Instantly she hastened to inform the disciples. While she was gone, the remaining women saw the angels, who asked, “Why seek ye the living among the dead?” And instructed them to tell his disciples. So when Mary returned to the sepulchre, she was alone. She was also ignorant of what the angels had said to the other women, and the poor woman’s heart could no longer retain her pent-up grief, and stood at the open sepulchre weeping. Presently she saw a man, and supposing him to be the gardener, said, “Sir, if thou hast borne Him hence, tell me where thou hast laid Him, and I will take Him away.”

While she is speaking to the supposed gardener, Jesus addressed her by her given name, “Mary!” Behold, it was her Lord, and she exclaims, “Rabboni!” It was the strongest word of reverence which a woman of Israel could use, and, in her joy, would have fallen on His neck, had He not restrained her. But what honor the Lord conferred upon her. She was the first human messenger to the world of a risen Saviour!

Such was the beautiful pearl our Lord saw in the woman who poured out her penitence in a flood of tears at His feet in the house of Simon the Pharisee. While it was her faith that saved her, surely it can truthfully be said of her, “She loved much.”