Will you recognize Him? I would like to share with you tonight what God revealed to me about a prostitute we all know, but we all know very little about… Mary called Magdalene. In Luke 8:1 we learn – than the male disciples following Jesus, we find in the book of Luke, that there was women as well:

Luk 8:1 SOON AFTERWARD, [Jesus] went on through towns and villages, preaching and bringing the good news (the Gospel) of the kingdom of God. And the Twelve [Apostles] were with Him, Luk 8:2 And also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had been expelled; Luk 8:3 And Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager; and Susanna; and many others, who ministered to and provided for Him and them out of their property and personal belongings.

In the early days of Jesus’ ministry, one of the most unusual examples is the devoted following of Mary Magdalene. Among the group of women who traveled with Jesus and his disciples Mary is almost always mentioned first in a list of the female followers. It was also this Mary who’s brother Lazarus was raised from the dead.

Hidden treasure about the Resurrection… The risen Jesus appeared to Mary first. It’s ironic that in a time when women could not be legal witnesses, Jesus Christ chose a woman as the first witness of His resurrection. “Perhaps it is no wonder that the women were first at the Cradle and last at the Cross.

Joh 20:1 Early in the morning on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone was moved away from the entrance. Joh 20:2 She ran at once to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, breathlessly panting, "They took the Master from the tomb. We don't know where they've put him." Joh 20:3 Peter and the other disciple left immediately for the tomb. Joh 20:4 They ran, neck and neck. The other disciple got to the tomb first, outrunning Peter. Joh 20:5 Stooping to look in, he saw the pieces of linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in. Joh 20:6 Simon Peter arrived after him, entered the tomb, observed the linen cloths lying there, Joh 20:7 and the kerchief used to cover his head not lying with the linen cloths but separate, neatly folded by itself. Joh 20:8 Then the other disciple, the one who had gotten there first, went into the tomb, took one look at the evidence, and believed. Joh 20:9 No one yet knew from the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead. Joh 20:10 The disciples then went back home. Joh 20:11 But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. As she wept, she knelt to look into the tomb

Joh 20:12 and saw two angels sitting there, dressed in white, one at the head, the other at the foot of where Jesus' body had been laid.

Why is this hidden treasure you may ask? We find that Mary first discovers that the stone was moved away and that the body was removed from the tomb. After being in tremendous shock she ran and called the Disciples. On returning to the tomb we see that Mary stays at the tomb. In the natural there was no reason for Mary to remain at an empty tomb. In verse 10 we see that the other disciples goes back home, but Mary stays… Pressing on, waiting on Him in an attitude of overwhelming love she had for our Lord Jesus Christ.… Notice in verse 11 – Mary stood outside the tomb weeping, as she wept, she knelt down and looked into the tomb- once again and then saw two angels.

Why did Mary look into the tomb again- there was nothing to see. Why did Mary remain at the tomb? Why did the other disciples miss it? She saw with her own eyes that the body was gone. In the natural she was suppose to leave the tomb and try to find out where they took the body. In the natural Mary would have gone back home with the other disciples and wept there. It is only after Mary was left all alone, desolate, in anguish and pain- with so many question and after she lost all her hope and confidence in man- and only after kneeling down- looking once again with all hope that she found the angels… We learn that she is a woman of great faith! She acted in faith when she stayed at the tomb- knowing that Jesus is always close to those who worship Him in Spirit and truth. We learn from the Word of God that some answers only come after you have been left all alone, desolate, in pain and we have lost all confidence in man – that Jesus can be your answer. We learn that God’s response are not for those who are in a hurry… Joh 20:14 After she said this, she turned away and saw Jesus standing there. But she didn't recognize him. Joh 20:15 Jesus spoke to her, "Woman, why do you weep? Who are you looking for?" She, thinking that he was the gardener, said, "Mister, if you took him, tell me where you put him so I can care for him." Joh 20:16 Jesus said, "Mary." Turning to face him, she said in Hebrew, "Rabboni!" meaning "Teacher!"

We furthermore find in John 20:14 that after Mary saw the angels, she turned away and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not recognize him. She thought He was the gardener. How could Mary not recognize Jesus? It is important to notice here that when we are so taken up with emotions, feelings and thoughts we miss the things of the Spirit- that which our lives depend upon. Only after Jesus said her name– did she face him– and realized it was Jesus. That voice– you can recognize in the midst of a million other voices. Do you know that voice? Do you know this King? We also know that it is the same Mary that anointed the Lord with

Perfume and wiped His feet with her hair. Joh 11:2. Mary had a revelation that Jesus was the Christ and that He would be crucified. Notice that none of the other 12 disciples had this very same revelation. Maybe interesting to know – Mary was also on time! This event took place the Saturday before His crucifixion. The woman- Mary- “broke” the vessel since Mark says, that she broke the box; not into pieces, for then she could not be said to pour it out; but either the top, or side of it. Then when she poured it on His head, as He sat to eat - we remember Psa 23:5 You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Following this anointing- we see that Mark says this box of ointment was worth more than 300 pence, i.e., denarii, - this was the value of a year’s salary- clearly Mary's offering was costly. While Mark was worried about the poor- Mary had the revelation. Let us look at how Jesus reacted to this statement, go with me to Mark 14:6 Mar 14:6 But Jesus said, Let her alone. Why do you cause her troubles? She worked a good work toward Me. Mar 14:7 For you have the poor with you always, and when you wish, you can do well toward them. But you do not have Me always. Mar 14:8 What this one held, she did. She took beforehand to anoint My body for the burial. Mar 14:9 Truly I say to you, Wherever this gospel is proclaimed in all the world, what this one did will also be spoken of for a memorial of her.

Can you see that Jesus acts on her behalf protecting her against the comments made! He stands up for her and her actions. Also notice that Jesus here indicates that Mary and the works that she has done will be mentioned in the Gospel in all the word. Mary understood that no matter what happened in her past– she was ready to touch eternity! She did not just touch His feet...she touched life eternally. Luk 7:37 And, behold, a woman who was a sinner in the city, knowing that He reclined in the Pharisee's house, taking an alabaster vial of ointment, Luk 7:38 and standing at His feet, weeping behind Him, she began to wash His feet with tears. And she was wip-ing with the hairs of her head. And she ardently kissed His feet and was anointing them with the ointment.

It is clear from this scripture that Mary was a sinner, but was courageous enough to leave her past behind her– and move into a realm of faith. Keep in mind that she would be criticized, belittled, chased away, cursed, called a prostitute and a sinner and humiliated by those present at the time. We see that she said no word– though her mouth was silent her faith was not silent– and every word was heard...though she said nothing! She was kissing the feet of Jesus on her knees as she wept and dried His feet with her hair. This could of cost her her life. From History we learn that woman were not allowed to loosen their hair in public, as this was seen as a sexual act of flirtation.

Mat 27:61 And Mary of Magdalene and the other Mary kept sitting there opposite the tomb. Mary Magdalene known for her perseverance came into the circle of believers, marked out from the rest by an exceptional experience of the Lord's healing power and incredible faith in our Lord Jesus. Even to the very end, with unwearied devotion, with intent and eager willingness, with undaunted faith and courage even in the face of dangers which broke the courage of the chosen Twelve, she followed and served her Lord. We see singleness of purpose, enormous strength of will, and above

all Unshakable Faith! The action of Mary in serving her Master's need while in life, and in administering the last rites to His body in death, is a characteristic of living faith. Faith with works… Mary was so focused on Jesus throughout her walk that she never took offence, lost direction– she walked by faith and not by sight. Having her background as a prostitute God prepared her for what she was about to face– it was only to preserve her for a better position in life. But Jesus never considers your past to determine your future. She gave her all! She sacrificed everything she had! My challenge to you would be: are you willing to sacrifice anything in life for Christ? She gave more than an offering. She sacrificed much in order to anoint Jesus. Are you willing to stand at an empty and deso-late area of your life– and by faith in Jesus believe that He is ready to reveal His unmatched Power to you. The fact that she cared not about her own self-pride by allowing people to condemn her shows that it’s more than just a mere offering.

Have you poured out your praise onto His feet? For only when you empty yourself in His presence—Can He come and fill you with Eternal Life! The price His son paid for the atonement of my sins was a sacrifice. But, what about me? Obedience is better than sacrifice… Will you be obedient to His call tonight? Knowing Jesus is not just doing His works, but Learning HIS WAYS!