The word “disciple” means “follower”, and we will see that Mary Magdalene was a very “devoted follower” of the Lord Jesus. We shall see she continued to FOLLOW HIM to the very end (contrast John 6:61-66).

In Luke 8:1-3 we read, “Soon afterward, Jesus began going around from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the gospel of 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 spirits 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.” The Spirit of God speaks highly of Mary Magdalene and other women were, on this occasion, following Jesus who was with His TWELVE DISCIPLES (the 12 Apostles that He had chosen …see Mark 3:13-18). They were devoting their lives to Him in a very practical way by ministering to His temporal needs. This devotion never let up and was manifested even after His death and resurrection.

Years later she was still near her Lord and Savior while He was being crucified. “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and MARY MAGDALENE” (John 19:25). How her loving heart must have been crushed as she saw Him suffering from the hands of wicked men! She had faithfully ministered to His bodily needs for years and now she is looking on His body and can hardly recognize the One that she loved with all her heart. You may ask, “How do you know He was hard to recognize? Because we read of this time prophetically in Isaiah 52:14, “Just as many were astonished at you, so His visage was marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men.” Regarding the beatings the Lord received see Matthew 26:67; 27;30; John 19:1.

Three days later we see her at the tomb of Jesus. “Now on the first day of the week MARY MAGDALENE went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away” (John 20:1). We learn here that this “devoted DISCIPLE of Jesus proceeded to “follow Him after He died!” Her heart’s sole object was her blessed Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This is clearly seen in verses 11-13, “But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then 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.” In verse 14 we see “she turned around and saw Jesus standing there and did not know that it was Jesus.” Why didn’t she recognize Him now? Was it too dark? Did tears cloud her vision? She supposed He was the gardener and said, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away” (verse 15). To her surprise Jesus said to her, “Mary” and that Voice, the Voice of her “good Shepherd” (John 10:1-4, 27), brought instant recognition to her and she then reached out to touch Him and Jesus said, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and Your God” (verse 17). We then read, “Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her” (verse 18). Mary’s unceasing devotion to Christ had been rewarded by being the first to see Him and who was given the immense privilege of giving this amazing news to other disciples.

This subject should encourage our dear sisters in Christ, for the women who FOLLOWED CHRIST were as devoted (or more devoted) to Him than the men. I would encourage you to read Acts 1:13-14 where we see these dear sisters continuing in their devotion to Christ AFTER His ascension to heaven.  (DO)  (712.5)