Characters of the Resurrection: The women and Mary Magdalene
Characters of the resurrection Part 1 • Sermon • Submitted
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Is Christianity Man Made?
Is Christianity Man Made?
The Christianity has been accused of being a man-made religion/faith?
The apostles came up with the scheme/belief systems of Christianity which spread geographically and over time to what we know of today
Cast doubt on the resurrection
Doubt among our own believers as to the validity of the church as an institution
decentralization
down play of authority
QUESTION: How do you respond to the accusation that the church is man made?
One of the defenses/responses to the accusation is found in the resurrection accounts…specifically the women.
KEY POINT: If Christianity was man made it would have started in nearly an opposite way than what we read in the gospels / acts
Grass roots movements in the country by men away from the watchful eye of the Romans
Not women in the major city of Jerusalem 3 days after the crucifixion of the central figure of the faith, Jesus Christ
Women and the Resurrection
Women and the Resurrection
Value of Women and Christ
Christ continually raised the state of women throughout his ministry
Women ministered and cared for Him during the ministry
Spoke to the Samaritan Woman
Defended Mary Magdalene
Women traveled with him
Anointing of oil by women
close friends of Mary and Martha
Christ’ treatment of women was extremely contrary to societal standards
Jewish Culture view/treatment of women
Jewish prayers for men...thanking God they were not born a woman
Men were not to greet women in public
Women were married off young and under the authority of their husband and it was only through her husband she received sustenance
Husband could divorce woman for any reason, but no woman could divorce her husband
Women were prohibited from studying scripture
In light of the treatment of women in 1st cent Palastine it was women who were the first witness of the resurrection.
KEY: Resurrection is the key historical event that the message of the gospel hinges on.
1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.
1 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?”
1 Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.
1 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 from the tomb.
The different combination of women is due to them coming from different locations to the tomb, likely based on a pre-determined set time after His burial.
As the women encountered either the empty tomb or an angel they returned to inform the disciples.
The response of the disciples is likely reflective of their unbelief and the cultural view of women in their day.
10 She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. 11 And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
9 Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. 11 And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them.
The consensus of the 4 Gospels that the women where the first witness and proclaimers of the resurrection is highly indicative that the Gospel writers were convicted to capture the truth of the Resurrection despite the cultural view of women.
Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene
11 But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. 12 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. 13 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.” 14 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “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.’ ” 18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.
17 Jesus said to her, “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.’ ”
Difficult to understand....
Variety of opinion
Origen
New Testament IVb: John 11–21 Purification Needed after Battle
PURIFICATION NEEDED AFTER BATTLE. ORIGEN: But after he had destroyed his enemies through his passion, the Lord, who is mighty in battle and strong,1 required a purification that could be given to him by his Father alone. And this is why he forbids Mary to touch him. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 6.287.2
Cyril of Alexandria
As, therefore, the Holy Spirit had not yet been sent down unto us, for He had not yet ascended to the Father, He repulses Mary as not yet having received the Spirit, saying: Touch Me not, for I am not yet ascended unto the Father; that is to say, I have not yet sent down unto you the Holy Spirit. Hence the type is applicable to the Churches. Therefore, also, we drive away from the Holy Table those who are indeed convinced of the Godhead of Christ…{but} not as yet been enriched with the Holy Spirit. For He does not dwell in those who have not received Baptism. But when they have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, then indeed there is nothing to hinder them from touching Our Saviour Christ.
Allegorical interpretation
Mary Magdalene represents believers who have not received the Holy Spirit through baptism therefore at church they cannot partake of the Body and Blood of Christ.
After the descent of the Holy Spirit the Church began and believers would touch Christ through their faith in the sacraments of the church
John Chrysostom
New Testament IVb: John 11–21 The Relationship Has Changed
I think that she still wanted to talk with Jesus like she used to and that in her joy she perceived nothing out of the ordinary in him, although he had become far more excellent in bodily appearance. To lead her therefore from this idea, and so that she might speak to him with more awe (for he no longer appears so familiar with the disciples either), he raises her thoughts so that she is more reverent toward him. To have said, “Do not approach me as you did before, for matters are not in the same state, nor shall I any longer be with you in the same way” would have been harsh and high-sounding. But by saying, “I am not yet ascended to the Father,” it was not as painful to hear, although he was basically saying the same thing.