We’ve all seen them lately. They’re really quite fascinating, especially the latest one I saw. “Which Bible Heroine Are You?” – Sounds exciting! And all of the people’s results I was seeing – Esthers and Abigails and Sarahs! Who would I be, who would I be?!
Mary Magdalene.
Imagine my disappointment when I wasn’t a strong, wonderful Biblical example like Queen Esther, or Abigail who stopped her family from getting slaughtered! Instead, I am Mary, who had demons.
I was pretty upset at first, because I wanted to be the cool person who shared what greatly respected Bible lady I was! Then I reread the description. “Your past has made you into the person you are today….you’ve been hurt….you’re an incredibly sensitive person…”
That’s me. Sometimes, I wish I were the beautiful Queen Esther who stands brave and strong. Sometimes I wish I were the poised Sarah who willingly goes with her husband and calls him lord. Sometimes I wish I were Abigail, meek and gentle and quick on my feet. And I do strive to be all of those things. But deep down, I’m Mary Magdalene.
I have that past…and it was sinful and dirty and hopeless (Eph. 2:11-12). I’ve been shackled by the chains of sin. I’ve had demons, and they could only be cast out by the saving power of Jesus’ blood. But they were, and every day I am so thankful that God loved me enough to send Jesus, and that He loved me enough to die a cruel and painful death on the cross.
And so, it might have been nice to be Esther or Sarah or Abigail. As I look through the pages of the Bible, those are the women I aspire to be like, and that often get my attention! But in reality, Mary Magdalene is probably the greatest of all (Matt. 18:1-4) and deserves at least equal weight in my studies. After all, she followed Jesus, watched Him die, and He appeared to her first ( Mark 16:9). She didn’t let her past define her, and even watched the most awful thing a human has watched and never gave up hope. She whole heartedly believed in the One that saved her from her demons, and that’s exactly who I am. Someone who is so thankful for the One who saved me, and who will spend every day looking for Him to come again!
Thanks for the reminder, random online quiz. I’m pretty glad to be Mary!
