Mary Magdalene
The First Witness
Key Scripture
“Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni.”
— John 20:16
✦Life Story
Mary Magdalene was a woman from whom Jesus cast out seven demons — her life before Christ was marked by captivity, and her life after was marked by absolute devotion. She was present at the crucifixion when the disciples had scattered. She was at the tomb before dawn on the first day of the week, bringing spices to honor a body she expected to find dead. When she found the stone rolled away, she wept outside the empty tomb — and it was to her that Jesus first appeared after His resurrection. He called her name, she recognized Him, and she ran to tell the others. In the most significant moment in history, the first witness was a woman who had been freed from darkness.
Famous Scriptures
John 20:16–17
Mary — Rabboni
“Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.”
John 20:11–13
She Stood at the Tomb Weeping
“But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, and seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou?”
Luke 8:2
Healed of Seven Demons
“And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils.”
Daily Challenge
Go to the empty place — the thing you think is hopeless — and be the first to witness what God has done there.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You called Mary by name and commissioned her as the first witness of Your resurrection. Call my name in the dark places of my life and send me to testify of what You have done. Amen.
📖 How This Story Speaks Today
Mary Magdalene's story is the ultimate picture of faith — she showed up with nothing but devotion, and became the first herald of the gospel.
