A Word from Zephaniah 3

In churches that pay attention to  such things, today is “The Feast Day of Saint Mary Magdalene”—a day to remember and learn from one of the New Testament’s most misunderstood characters. You see, if you know anything about Mary Magdalene, you might be under the impression that she was a prostitute—and that she was probably the “sinful woman” who anointed Jesus’ feet while he was dining with a Pharisee named Simon (see Luke 7:36-50). However, most scholars now believe that connection isn’t right.

What they say instead is that the gospels say two things about Mary. First, she was one of the named women who followed and supported Jesus, and who had been possessed by seven demons before Jesus cast them out (see Luke 8:1-3). And second, she was one of the women who went to the tomb on Easter Sunday morning—and in John’s gospel was the first witness to and the first evangelist of the resurrection itself!

So if nothing else, Mary Magdalene stands as a testimony to the way that Jesus can call, and heal, and use anybody to share his glory. And maybe that’s why today’s word includes these words from Zephaniah Chapter 3:

The Lord your God is with you,

     the Mighty Warrior who saves.

He will take great delight in you;

     in His love he will no longer rebuke you,

     but will rejoice over you with singing. (Zeph. 3:17)

So today, I hope you know that God rejoices over you with singing. And no matter how you’ve been misunderstood in the past, God has a future in mind for you in which you can bear witness to resurrection life.

So let’s embrace that life today! And look for ways to share it. Amen.