Jesus knows your story.
We live in a society where everyone wants to be known. One quick scroll through social media and we find everything from people’s vacation photos to what they cooked last night for dinner. There’s certainly nothing wrong with sharing photos and milestones on social media; I love keeping up with the happenings of friends and family when I can’t see them in person.
Sometimes though, the sharing becomes a comparison game. We want the world to see and acknowledge our perfect spouses, houses, children and lives. There seems to be a deep need for recognition from people.
The Gospel of Matthew shows us another way.
In Matthew 28:1, the text says that, “After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.”
How would we react today at being referred to as “the other Mary” in an important news story? Did the writer not know her last name, or did he just not care?
Was it because women didn’t matter much during that time?
While that could be the case, I don’t think it was.
Maybe omitting her last name was on purpose because her last name truly didn’t matter. The story was not about either of the women. It was about the Resurrected Christ.
In Matthew’s account, in ten short verses, these two women encountered angels, saw an empty tomb and then encountered a very much alive, Jesus. When they saw Him, “they clasped his feet and worshiped him.” Matthew 28:9b.
Jesus told them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” Matthew 28:10
Why would Jesus choose to appear to women first if they had no worth?
The Gospel shows us repeatedly that Jesus valued women and that women freely and openly worshiped Him.
Perhaps that humility is why He chose to appear to them first. When they saw Him, they immediately worshiped Him.
These two women literally got to be the first. They were clearly both known by Him and I’ve no doubt that they are now spending eternity with Him.
I suppose we have all felt like the “other Mary” at one time or another. We all know Mary Magdalene’s story. We know nothing about the “other Mary,” but we should be encouraged because the truth is that Jesus knew everything about her.
Another truth is, He knows your name and your story too and in the end, that’s all that matters. Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 😊