I have been fairly quiet since the resurrection of my Lord Jesus, but I feel it is time to share my story with you. The apostles have given so many details in their Accounts of what transpired and they are true to form and fact. All I can add is my personal story.
I met rabbi Yashua During the worst days of my life. I had been shunned in my village of Magdala by family and friends Because I had become oppressed by darkness. I did not know that I was possessed by demons…. not just one but many. I met Jesus as he was ministering in the Galilee, He immediately recognized my pain and knew that I needed deliverance. The apostles were there and watched as he delivered me from seven Devils. It was frightening and painful and I’m sure it was difficult for them to watch as well. All I could do was focus on the love I saw in the eyes of the man that was ministering to me. He was gentle and kind but fierce and strong as he drove seven demons away. Immediately, the darkness in my mind lifted. I was able to see and think clearly and I knew that was that I had been delivered from all that evil. I fell at his feet and worshiped him. From that day on I was one of the many that traveled with him, serving him, worshiping him, and Learning everything that he was teaching us. Every day was a new experience and a new lesson. He spoke of love, grace and forgiveness. They were such light in his presence. I could not bear to be away from him. The crowd around him continue to grow, but there was a small band of us who were close to him and to each other, the apostles especially Peter James and John, his mother Mary, sometimes the other Mary and Martha her sister, and the rest of the entourage Who sat under his teaching. With the other women, we cooked and washed, we tried to make life easier for our rabbi, our teacher. He gave so much of himself, and was so full of love for each and every person around him, no matter who they were or where they came from or their social status. We could not Outgive him, We could not repay him for all he had done In each of our lives. We talked among ourselves, expressing the fact that we were new creatures, we were different than we had been. I, certainly ,was so transformed, my family and friends did not even recognize me.
Jesus was never afraid when the rulers and religious leaders began to turn against him. He told us things that we did not understand at the time, but we came to realize he was warning us of his death. And as you have read, the apostles spelled out very clearly how awful that night was. He went off with them to the garden to pray. I remained back with the other women, But heard the commotion when they came and arrested him. We followed behind and stayed in the dark recesses of the buildings and watched as the night progressed. I saw him beaten And Mocked and ridiculed. The Romans are so cruel. I wanted to stop them I wanted to say something, but knew that I would be taking my own life in my hands in doing so. We stayed in the darkness and cried together. We walked along side in the crowd along Via Dolorosa as he staggered to Golgotha, Crowds had gathered so we didn’t have to hide at that point. But we were frightened and we were grieving. I stood with Mary and was John as we clung together at the foot of the cross and watched our beloved Jesus suffer and die. This was the worst day of my life. But he continued to show love and mercy and forgiveness as he hung there. It was unbelievable, but when he could open his eyes and look at us we saw pure love radiating out from him. He spoke to Mary, his mother and to John who was his favorite. He looked at me, and no words were necessary. I felt his love.
After he died it was important that we retrieved the body and start the process of embalming. It was almost sunset and it was Sabbath. Joseph offered his tomb and it was close by. The Roman guard allowed us to remove the body and we carried him to the tomb and began to start the process of burial. We had to leave by sunset, and the Romans rolled the heavy large stone in front of the door of the cave that was the tomb of my Lord. The world seem cold and dark, and we all felt lost. All we had was each other, and we were afraid, and we were alone, and all Our hopes were shattered
We remained cloistered , it was difficult to eat or drink, to speak or to sing or just celebrate Sabbath.
Early Sunday morning we were freed from the Sabbath restrictions and I with two other women hurried to the tomb to see if we could finish the burial dressings. From a distance I could see that the stone had been moved and I ran ahead and went into the tomb and found the wrapping cloth lying on the chiseled out bed, empty. The other women came and we were confused and we were frightened and angry that they had stolen his body. I thought the gardener was there, but he was not. I was Overcome with grief upon grief. Suddenly he spoke to me, asking why I was crying, I did not know how the stone could’ve been moved, I didn’t know where they took him. And he spoke my name,….. it was my lord, my master. I Fell at his feet and tried to embrace him, But he denied me that privilege saying it wasn’t time. I couldn’t understand what he meant. I was overcome with joy though that he stood in front of me. I immediately ran to tell Peter and John what happened, And of course they didn’t believe me At first. But eventually they did, they all did and they all got to see Jesus and we all spent time together for the next 40 days. I watched from a distance as he rose into the heavens. I had heard him tell the men that he would return For us. In the meantime he wanted us to continue with what we had learned and seen While we Traveled with him. He told us that another would come to take his place and to help us.
Days later, as Luke has told you, we were all still waiting in that upper room,Praying and singing when suddenly fire fell And touched the heads of everyone there. What a magnificent sight that was! Our prayers became emboldened and we were praying in other languages and our worship became louder and crowds gathered outside. Peter went out and spoke to the crowd to tell them of Jesus and the resurrection and the life that he has promised us if we follow him. People wanted to Receive the faith that we had, And many heard the truth and Believed it. They were baptized right then and there. this continued Every day and we brought many into the fold. I was busy preparing food and tending to children and The elderly and Infirm. It was a time that I will always remember that was full of joy and hard work as we waited for Jesus to return.
Life is much quieter now. I still care for widows and children here in Magdala, but it is a slower pace. The apostles have all gone in different directions, a few have met their death, but all of us continue to tell of Jesus, Of his life and death, of his resurrection, of his miracles and signs and wonders. We will tell the story to anyone and everyone until the day he returns.
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