Daily devotion – Friday 18th June 2021
A recent discovery on the western shores of the Galilee is the location of Magdala. It was from here that Mary Magdalen left to follow Christ. Magdala is positioned on the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee, and yes, another Church has been built there! It also was a fishing village and the stone catchments where the fishing boats would have been dry-docked can be seen clearly as you visit the site.
Mary Magdalene, was one of the many devout women who followed Christ and provided practical support to His ministry.
Luke 8:1 Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve werewith Him, 2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, 3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.
Mary also was one of the first to have the blessing of seeing the resurrected Christ – Mar 16:9 Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons.
Mary’s story indeed is one of the most wonderful in the Bible. Her life was changed dramatically by Jesus, and in response, she dedicated her life to serving Him every day for the rest of her life.
Now whilst we may not have had seven demons cast out of our lives, we too, however, have been saved from eternal damnation and given eternal life.
Often we forget that we too were like Mary; we were lost, alone and trapped in sin. As we look at the site of Magdala’s excavated ruins, they reveal the life and times of this Mary. As we visit this beautiful location I am always reminded that my old life was one of darkness, without Christ and without hope.
Like Mary, every genuine recipient of God’s forgiveness, His mercy and His grace will always result in one dedicating their life to serve He who has set us free.
Do you today know Christ’s forgiveness, His power to set you free from the domination of the works of Satan and to clean you and change you into a new creation? If you have are still under the imprisonment of habits and oppression of Satan, you can today be set free by repenting of your sins, bowing your heart to Christ and asking His forgiveness to set you free from all that holds you. Pray those very words, and He will do to you what He did with Mary. He will set you free!
If you have already been set free by Christ, I pray that you follow Mary’s example and dedicate every day of your life to serving Him, who is your Saviour and Lord. It’s a life that is simply glorious!