The Cross: And What It Means for Lost Humanity
Mary Magdalene - from Sinner to Evangelist
NOTES PREPARED BY PAUL BARKER
Focus Statement:
Mary Magdalene was the first to testify to Christ’s resurrection.
Luke 8:1–3 (ESV)
1 Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.
Mark 15:40–41 (ESV)
40 There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and there were also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem.
John 20:1–3, 11–18 (ESV)
1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb.
11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stopped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.
The Text in the Story of Redemption
Some of the key theological assumptions that come out of the Jewish shaping of the Gospels are assumptions that the God of Israel is now bringing restoration in Jesus.
So this sense that the story of the Gospels is not just about Jesus but is about what the God of Israel has already been doing and is now doing to bring restoration, to inaugurate the kingdom through Jesus, is an important part of the Gospels.
So we don’t hear the Gospels as the beginning of a story, but the continuation and the culmination of Israel’s story and the redemption that God has promised Israel.
The Gospels record the next phase of the narrative arc of God’s plan for the redemption of humanity.
They reveal who Jesus is, detailing his birth, life, death, and resurrection.
Yet, they do more than present facts about Jesus—they also share the stories of real people whose lives were transformed by encountering him.
The authors address the needs of their communities, especially the call to believe and find life in his name (John 20:31).
Through these stories, we too can experience that life.
This sermon focuses on one such transformed life: Mary Magdalene.
Her dramatic testimony showcases the redemption God accomplished through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
Scene One: Luke 8:1–3
Most narrative writing consists of various scenes to advance the storyline.
In this true and dramatic account, Luke 8:1–3 is the first scene.
It introduces Mary Magdalene and explains her past.
Luke briefly highlights Mary Magdalene among Jesus’ followers in Luke 8:1–3.
Unlike the others in the text, whom Luke describes by their roles or relationships, he introduces Mary as a woman from whom seven demons were cast out.
This is a humbling and painful past.
At the start of Mary’s story, her past—marked by shame, regret, and darkness—could have easily defined her.
Many of us can relate to living with a “backdrop” we wish we could erase.
Though Mary has a background scene that she may have wished was left out of the story, it is merely the backdrop.
The real story is about Jesus and what happened to Mary as she followed him.
Her background scene sets the stage for her life-changing deliverance, which is the start of her new story.
Scene Two: Mark 15:40–41
Why do all four Gospel authors write about Mary Magdalene?
Perhaps her painful beginning helps us see Jesus’ glorious work as her story progresses.
In this text, Mark calls her Mary Magdalene, but there is no mention of the seven demons or her shameful past.
That part of her story no longer defines Mary.
But the spotlight isn’t on Mary; it’s on the cross where Jesus was being crucified.
It’s now Jesus’ shame and pain that the story emphasizes, not hers.
Sometimes, the critical part of a story isn’t about the past but the present.
Jesus’ pain and shame eclipses Mary’s.
His dying the death of a criminal on a cross replaces her past.
She is now simply a follower of Jesus and one who cares for him along with the other disciples.
When we think about our story, what background scene is the most prominent?
Is it our pain and shame, or is it the cross of Jesus?
Both scenes significantly impact our lives, but only the cross leads to the power of the resurrection.
Scene Three: John 20:1–3
In scene three, we find Mary at the tomb.
Jesus has been crucified and buried.
The other gospel writers provide more details on why Mary is there, but in John’s account, the spotlight is simply on her presence and the stark contrast of Jesus’ absence.
She is still faithfully following but also afraid and anxious because simply following is no longer working.
Jesus had told his disciples he would die and be raised to life, but none understood it (John 20:9).
Though Jesus’ death on the cross is central to the story, the goal is resurrection life.
Following Jesus to his death doesn’t finish the story.
Scene Four: John 20:11–18
Scene four is the most important and climactic.
Mary stayed after the other disciples left the tomb scene, waiting and weeping.
She has brief conversations with two angels and a man she thinks is the gardener.
When the gardener (Jesus) says her name, she recognizes him and exclaims, “Rabboni!” which means “teacher.”
She is a follower of Jesus, and he is her teacher.
What Jesus says next in response to her revelation and declaration sets a new background for Mary.
She is his disciple, and instead of merely clinging to him, she has new work to do.
The cross and resurrection have transformed her life from clinging to commissioning.
She is no longer simply a follower; the resurrection life of Jesus commissions her to live as the very first witness to that life.
She isn’t just meant to follow but also to go and tell. Jesus told her, “Go tell my brothers.”
A background of pain and shame no longer defines Mary Magdalene; she is no longer simply a follower of Jesus; she is a disciple commissioned to tell others about Jesus and his resurrection life.
When you think about your life, what background is behind you?
Is it a background without Jesus in the picture?
That background can change.
Is it a background of his cross and your following and loving him?
That is a great background, but it isn’t the end of the story.
The final background meant for every follower of Jesus is the empty tomb and the life of Jesus commissioning us to go and tell.
Mary Magdalene’s story illustrated how the cross and resurrection are the foundation of our faith and mission.
Through the cross, we can be forgiven of our sins and healed of our past, walk with other disciples and grow in faith as we follow Jesus, and take that new story and be a messenger of the life and transformative power of Jesus so that others can hear and be delivered as you have been.
Four Questions
1. How is God glorified in the text?
Mary Magdalene’s story glorifies God by demonstrating his power to redeem and transform lives.
Through her journey, we see God’s mercy, grace, and victory over evil on full display.
The cross and resurrection highlight God’s faithfulness to fulfill his promises of redemption and restoration for humanity.
The cross and resurrection narrative highlights Mary’s troubled past, which brings attention to God’s ability to transform ordinary, broken people and commission them to live for his purposes.
2. How is our heart transformed in the text?
Our hearts can be transformed when we respond to Jesus and the truth that, like Mary, our past does not define us.
Christ’s work on the cross and his resurrection define us.
Mary’s journey reflects the hope that no matter the circumstances of our sin, shame, or personal brokenness, Jesus’ sacrifice covers it, and his resurrection empowers us for a new life.
When we receive this truth, we are set free to live a new identity as redeemed followers of Jesus.
This truth also brings healing and enables us to live with renewed purpose, moving us from bondage to freedom and despair to hope.
3. How is the mission accelerated in the text?
Mary Magdalene’s transformation from a delivered follower to a faithful messenger accelerates the mission.
Her commission to “go and tell” about the risen Christ marks the beginning of the spread of the gospel message and the furthering of God’s kingdom coming on earth.
In the commissioning moment, Jesus emphasizes the power of her testimony, which is still powerful today, just as ours is.
The personal testimony of a disciple of Jesus accelerates the mission by giving others the opportunity to hear and believe in the risen Christ and find life in his name.
4. What is the gospel application of the text?
The cross provides forgiveness of sins and deliverance from our past, and the resurrection gives us new life and power to live for Christ.
Mary Magdalene’s story illustrates the complete work of salvation: Jesus redeems, restores, and commissions us for his mission.
Just as Jesus called Mary to proclaim the good news of the resurrection, we, too, are commissioned to testify to Christ’s victory over sin and death.
This means embracing the call to follow Jesus and share his transformative work in our lives with others so they, too, can experience redemption and resurrection life.
- Second City Church