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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nThe Absence of women among the 12 disciples has bothered a few people. But Jesus\u2019 close followers clearly included many women. Also clear is the fact that Jesus did not treat women as others in his culture did; he treated them with dignity, as people with worth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mary of Magdala was an early follower of Jesus who certainly deserves to be called a disciple. An energetic, impulsive, and caring woman, she not only traveled with Jesus but also contributed to meeting the needs of his group. She was present at the Crucifixion and was on her way to anoint Jesus\u2019 body on Sunday morning when she discovered the empty tomb. Mary was the first to see Jesus after his resurrection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nMary Magdalene is a heartwarming example of thankful living. She was miraculously freed by Jesus when he drove seven demons out of her. In every glimpse we have of Mary, she was acting out her appreciation for the freedom Jesus had given her. That freedom allowed her to stand under Jesus\u2019 cross when all the disciples except John were hiding in fear. After Jesus\u2019 death, she intended to show his body every respect. Like the rest of Jesus\u2019 followers, she never expected his bodily resurrection\u2014but she was overjoyed to discover it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mary\u2019s faith was not complicated; it was direct and genuine. She was more eager to believe and obey than to understand everything. Jesus honored her childlike faith by appearing to her first and by entrusting her as the first messenger of the Good News of his resurrection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Strengths and accomplishments:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Notable facts:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Lessons from her life:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Vital statistics: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Key verse: \u201cAfter Jesus rose from the dead early on Sunday morning, the first person who saw himwas Mary Magdalene, the woman from whom he had cast out seven demons.\u201d (Mark 16:9)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Mary Magdalene\u2019s story is told in Matthew 27\u201328; Mark 15\u201316; Luke 23\u201324; John 19\u201320. She is also mentioned in Luke 8:2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n