____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER ____________________________________________________ "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ April 11, 2004 ____________________________________________________ Contents: 1) Mary Magdalene (Tom Edwards) 2) Demonism Vs. Sinfulness (Clarence Johnson) 3) News & Notes ____________________________________________________ -1- Mary Magdalene by Tom Edwards Seldom does the Bible refer to individuals by their last names. "Magdalene," according to Vincent's Word Studies, is a term that "denotes merely her town: She of Magdala." This was located on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, about 3 miles north of Tiberias, and is also rendered as "Magadan" in various other translations, such as the New American Standard Bible and the American Standard Version. Merrill F. Unger identifies this place as being "the same as that of the modern village of El-Mejdel" (Unger's Bible Dictionary). In Matthew 15:39, mention is made of Jesus coming to this region of Magadan by boat, after He had miraculously provided for the 4,000 with just seven loaves of bread and a few small fish. But from Luke 8:2, it appears that this term "Magdalene," which is a feminine derivative of "Magdala," not only connects Mary with this specific geographical location, but also had become a name for her -- and one which would distinguish her from the other Marys -- for this verse speaks of "...Mary who was called Magdalene...." Many people often hold certain beliefs as if they are directly from the Bible -- when, in reality, they are not. Such is also the case with numerous individuals' views toward Mary Magdalene. Some historians, some painters, some writers, some movie makers, and many others, down through the years, have been guilty of greatly misrepresenting whom this woman was before she came to the Lord. For Mary Magdalene has been thought of and portrayed, by many people, as having formerly been a woman of ill repute, a prostitute; but one whose life had been transformed by the mercy and grace of the Lord, when she penitently besought His forgiveness. This false concept has been prevalent. For example, over the years, hospitals have been founded, called "Magdalene Hospitals," for the purpose of helping prostitutes who are seeking to change their lives for the better. In pointing out some of the hospitals established in 18th-century London that would be for "special categories," such as Bethlem for the mentally ill or Greenwich for sailors and refugees, Rhian Harris also includes the "Magdalen Hospital founded to rescue penitent prostitutes" ("The Foundling Hospital"). During that time, the term "hospital" "was also used for institutions concerned with the poor or destitute" (ibid.). That type of hospital, therefore, would become a home for these women who were sometimes even referred to as "Magdalenes." But as we shall see, there is not even any implication in the Bible that Mary had ever been promiscuous -- so how could we conclude she had formerly been given to harlotry? We, therefore, should never depict this worthy woman as ever having done so. Although Mary is first mentioned in Matthew 27:56, as one of the women who had been at the Lord's crucifixion, and as one who had "followed Jesus from Galilee while ministering to Him," she is first seen, chronologically speaking, in Luke 8:2. In this verse, along with verses 1 and 3, we learn that the Lord had been going "from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means." Mary appears to have been a prominent woman. Out of the 8 passages where her name is mentioned with another named individual or individuals in the Bible, Mary is listed first in 7 of those passages. And we can also note that she is sometimes mentioned, along with just a few others, when many others weren't mentioned by name at all. For instance, "And many women were there looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, among whom was Mary Magdalene, along with Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee" (Matt. 27:55,56). Out of the many people who made up this group, only these few are mentioned specifically by name -- and Mary Magdalene, first of all. Mary has been mistakenly thought to have been the woman "who was a sinner," who had washed the Lord's feet with her tears, wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with perfume in the previous chapter (Luke 7:36-50). To this woman, forgiveness was granted. But it appears that the last reference to her is verse 50: "And He said to the woman, `Your faith has saved you; go in peace.'" Her name is never mentioned; and how her history unfolded, after this event, is not given. We don't read of the Lord casting seven demons out of this woman, nor do we ever read of Mary Magdalene washing the Lord's feet with her tears. But when we read about Mary in Luke 8 (the following chapter), she is not merely named; but also introduced as "...Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out...." We are made to realize that this could not be the same woman that chapter seven is so silent about, in concealing her identity. Demon possession was not merely a figurative way of referring to someone with a mental illness. Rather, it was real demons who actually possessed that person; and, as a result, could cause physical and/or mental problems. It did not always effect people the same way: it caused some to be dumb (Matt. 9:33); others, blind and dumb (Matt. 12:22); some, deaf and dumb (Mark 9:25); and others to have convulsions and foam at the mouth (Mark 9:20). Demon possession, therefore, appears to have often resulted in an impairment to either one's body and/or mind. But never does the Bible show that it caused anyone to become a prostitute. (See also Clarence Johnson's article on "Demonism Vs. Sinfulness" that follows in this bulletin.) It is because of this modernistic thinking of demon possession being merely a mental disorder that Mary has also been misrepresented by some people as being one who was mentally unstable, that she suffered from schizophrenia, and only hallucinated that she saw the resurrected Christ. However, when we forget what others have said about her and remember only that which the Bible states, Mary is seen as being a prominent, faithful follower of Jesus, and very much in her right mind. She is a good example for all, and one who appears to be unselfish, caring, and dedicated. She was well-geared and well-focused on the important things of life. Serving to help the Lord in His ministry, Mary, with the others mentioned, had made that last, long trek with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem (Matt. 27:55,56). Looking at a map, that appears to have been about 75 miles. Have you ever walked 5 miles -- even with comfortable walking shoes? Without our modern conveyances, means of travel in those days were certainly much more arduous. It has been speculated that Mary was probably a widow, which would allow her to be away from home for these long periods. She was certainly a devoted follower of Jesus -- literally walking with Him, as well as "walking" with Him in a spiritual sense. After having watched the Lord's crucifixion -- not only "from a distance" (Matt. 27:55); but also nearer, when she was "standing by the cross" with Jesus' mother and some others (Jn. 19:25) -- Mary had then gone to the burial tomb, which was provided by Joseph of Arimathea. There she remained, "sitting opposite the grave," along with the "other Mary" (the mother of James and Joseph, v. 56) (Matt. 27:61). Luke 23:54-56 states: "It was the preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. Now the women who had come with Him out of Galilee followed, and saw the tomb and how His body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment." Then after the Sabbath, the account states in John 20:1,2: "Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb. So she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, `They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.'" From the other accounts, however, we are informed that Mary had not gone to the tomb alone at this time. Rather, she was accompanied with Mary (the mother of James and Joseph) and Salome; and the purpose given is "that they might come and anoint Him" with the spices they had prepared and brought (Mark 16:1; Luke 24:1). It was as they approached the tomb that they noticed the stone had been rolled away, and the body of Jesus was no longer there. Mary then ran to tell Peter and John, not realizing yet that the Lord had been raised from the dead -- but simply thinking that someone had taken the body (John 20:2). Mention of just Mary in John's account is to focus on her; for, as the record goes on to show (in the same chapter), she was soon to be the first one who would see the resurrected Jesus. After hearing her report, Peter and John also went to the tomb and found it empty, while Mary Magdalene was outside weeping. "...and so as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying. And they said to her, `Woman, why are you weeping?' She said to them, `Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.' When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 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.' Jesus said to her, `Mary!' She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, `Rabboni!' (which means, Teacher)" (John 20:11-16). So it was to Mary Magdalene that Jesus first appeared, after His resurrection (as Mark 16:9 also states); and, at His instruction, she went and announced to the disciples this triumphant news of their risen Lord who would soon be ascending back to His Father and their Father, and to His God and their God (vv. 17,18). Like many of the great people of faith in the Scriptures, little is said about Mary Magdalene; but from what we do know, we can find it motivational toward our own walk with the Lord. Mary was a good woman, a faithful follower. She is recorded in God's book and seen in a good light. No doubt she was grateful for having met Jesus, for having been healed of her demonic possession, and for being able to walk with the Lord and learn of His way of truth more fully. May we, too, be thankful for Jesus, for what He has done for us, and strive to humbly walk with Him each day on that path of truth. ____________________________________________________ -2- Demonism Vs. Sinfulness by Clarence R. Johnson Jesus came to the disciples and "saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them. Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him. And He asked the scribes, `What are you discussing with them?' Then one of the crowd answered and said, `Teacher, I brought You my son who has a mute spirit. And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not.' He answered him and said, `O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me.' Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth. So He asked his father, `How long has this been happening to him?' And he said, `From childhood. And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.' Jesus said to him, `If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.' Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, `Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.' When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it: `Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!' Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, 'He is dead.' But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, `Why could we not cast it out?' So He said to them, `This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting'" (Mark 9:14-29). Note that demons or unclean spirits did not cause the same ailments in all individuals who came under their power. This boy was deaf, mute, and subject to seizures. In other individuals, demons sometimes produced blindness, insanity, and perhaps other problems. See Mark 5:5; Matt. 12:22. Also note that there was little or no connection between demon possession and sinfulness. When Jesus asked the boy's father how long he had been troubled by the unclean spirit, he answered, "from childhood." Since both Matthew and Luke describe the man's son as still being a "child," or "boy" (Matt. 17:18; Luke 9:42), the father obviously meant from early childhood, perhaps from infancy. We must conclude that the boy was extremely ill because of the unclean spirit, but not extremely sinful. A similar case would be that of the "young daughter" who was demon possessed in Mark 7:25. Jesus treated demon possession as sickness, not sinfulness, and demoniacs were healed, not rebuked or scolded, Luke 8:2. -- Via The Susquehanna Sentinel, January 25, 2004 ____________________________________________________ -3- News & Notes People to continue to remember in prayer: * The friends and loved ones of James Deshazo (of Gonzales, LA) who passed away recently. * Ronnie Perry who will have heart surgery in Texas the 12th and 13th of this month. * Maxine Pine who has had to struggle with acute arthritis. * Carol Music (of Ashland, KY) who has been battling with inoperable cancer. * James Shuff (Luther and Agnes' son) for the liver transplant he needs. * Brent Lykins (of Ashland, KY) who is seeking new employment. * Melissa Maggard (Brent's aunt) who was recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and has also been concerned about a lump that has developed. ____________________________________________________ MYRTLE STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST 1022 Myrtle Street Denham Springs, LA 70726 (225) 664-8208 Sunday: 9:15 AM, 10:00 AM, 4:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 PM evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520 e-mail: tedwards@onemain.com web site: http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/go ____________________________________________________