Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.

Matthew 27:55, 56

“Many women…watching from a distance.”  Who are these grieving women?  I suppose the burning question is, where are the disciples of Jesus?  Except for John they were not to be seen.  They were friends of the one being crucified – not a happy situation to be in, by any means.  They vanished!

Who are these three women mentioned by Matthew?  First, Mary Magdalene. Of all daughters of Israel, she was the most desolate, ruled by seven powers of hell. Her state was worse than death.  Seven demons of Satan sealed her fate. The local exorcists could do nothing.  She was helpless. She had to meet the demands of every demon, a life of perpetual torture. This is to me, not an unknown mystery. Having lived in East Africa it is a horrid reality. I prayed for such. It is doing battle with the powers of hell. Unless she is delivered she will die a terrifying death, when the demons are done with her.

One day, not recorded, Jesus met this demonized Mary and by the power of his name drove out those seven demons.  The change that overcame Mary was astounding. She owed her life to Jesus so she wanted to do what she could to help him. So, she left her little village, Magdala, and joined the small band of caring women. She must have felt hugely inferior to Jesus’ mother and Mary, the mother of James and John. But bless them, they incorporated her into their little fellowship of worship and care.

I find it amazing that Mary Magdalene is mentioned 12 times in the Gospels, more often than most disciples. She owed everything to Jesus.