Jesus appearing to Mary Magdalene

‘Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.’ Mark 16:9

Suggested Further Reading: John 20:11–18

He said, ‘Go tell my brethren;’ and away she went to tell others that she had found the Saviour. If you have the privilege of seeing Christ, do not eat the morsel behind the door. Have you found honey? Taste it yourself, but go and tell others. You cannot have seen much of the Saviour, unless you desire to let others see him. Your piety is a mere sham if it does not lead to practical service. Are there not some Mary Magdalenes here who have had seven devils cast out of them? You have felt the power of divine grace in your heart; you love the Saviour; you long for communion with him. My dear sister, as soon as you have fellowship, do not be afraid to speak to others what the Lord shall say in private to you. We do not want women to enter the pulpit; that is a violation both of grace and nature, and as much an offence to good manners as it is to God’s own law; but you have your own sphere, you have your own place of work, you can gather your own sex about you, also your children; you have many opportunities; tell others that Jesus has risen, that there is a risen life; that you know it, and that you pant and long that others too should rise from the grave of sin to the new life in Jesus.

As for you, men and brethren, to whom it pertains more particularly to be teachers and pastors, I charge you, whatsoever you have found within the circle of fire where the closest communion is, whatsoever Christ has revealed to you in hours of retirement when you have come nearest to him, tell it to his family, feed his flock with it.

For meditation: Women are not to exercise spiritual authority over men (1 Corinthians 14:33–35; 1 Timothy 2:11–14), but men should value and encourage their numerous God-given ministries both at home (Acts 16:15; 1 Corinthians 7:13,16; 1 Timothy 5:14; 2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15; Titus 2:4–5; 1 Peter 3:1–2,5) and in the wider church family (Luke 8:2; Acts 9:36,39; 18:26; Romans 16:1–6; Philippians 4:2–3; 1 Timothy 5:10; Titus 2:3–4).

Sermon no. 625
16 April (1865)