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The Bride He Died For • Mar 02nd 1973

The Love of God: Mary Magdalene (John 20) – Part 1

Eternal Purpose Gene's Messages to the Church in Isla Vista, CA New Testament The Gospels

Mary Magdalene’s love for Jesus is one of the most moving pictures of devotion in the Bible.

In this message from John 20, Gene Edwards explores Mary Magdalene at the tomb of Jesus and asks a searching question: Can you still love the Lord when He seems absent, silent, or completely beyond your reach?

While it was still dark, Mary went to the tomb. Jesus had been crucified. His disciples had scattered. Yet Mary continued to seek Him. Her devotion did not depend upon what she expected Jesus to do for her. As Gene Edwards emphasizes in this message, whether Christ was alive or dead, He was still her Lord.

This teaching goes beyond the resurrection story to explore the extraordinary love of God revealed throughout His eternal purpose, the coming of Jesus Christ, the cross, and God’s desire for a people who will love Him in return.

Gene Edwards considers the finished work of Christ, the Bride of Christ, God’s eternal purpose, and the love that brought Jesus into this fallen creation. All of these themes eventually lead us back to Mary Magdalene—alone in the darkness, going to the tomb simply because she loved Jesus.

Her story raises a deeply personal question for every Christian: What happens to our faith when we cannot feel God’s presence? Can we continue loving and seeking Christ when He seems silent? Can we love the Lord not merely for what He gives us, but simply because He is our Lord?

Mary’s devotion offers a powerful picture of Christian discipleship, spiritual perseverance, and wholehearted love for Jesus Christ.

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She gathered some other sisters up, according to the other gospel account. It’s not mentioned in John. I’d rather tell it the way John told it. Mary Magdalene came to the tomb with one thought in her mind. How am I going to move that great big rock?

A gigantic rock…did that prevent her from going to the tomb? This little girl had a certain element of madness in her. She got the spices; she got up to go lay a dead God, and she was going to finish the embalming procedures, the burial procedures. She had no idea how to get through that rock. I just got one thing to tell you: she loved Him. Do you believe Mary Magdalene loved Jesus Christ? If I asked you to prove that Mary Magdalene was in love with Jesus, could you prove it?

There’s a very simple reason…because the Bible said she did. As far as that goes, Jesus Christ said it. He looked at her, and He said, “Simon, I want to ask you a question: Who loves more, the one forgiven more, or the one forgiven less?” He said, ” More, teacher.” He said, “You’re right, Simon. So it is with this girl.”

Did Jesus Christ know Mary Magdalene loved Him? The Bible said she loved Him. Let us settle this once and for all. Mary Magdalene was in love with Jesus Christ. A little bit? A lot? How much? Madly. Passionately in love with the Lord. Let me tell you about Mary Magdalene’s love for Jesus Christ. May I? Let me tell you something.

Did she belong to the fallen human race?

(continued in Part 2)

 

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