"Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “’The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?" ( Mathew 21:42)
The story of Mary Magdalene, a woman with a past, and her meeting Jesus who welcomed her against protestations from his disciples, is a constant reminder that ours is a God of second chance. After being delivered of seven demons that had chained her life down ( Luke 8:1-3); Mary Magdalene became a faithful follower of Jesus. Indeed, she was one of the few followers who stayed near him during his death, burial, and resurrection.
Mary Magdalene stayed near the cross during Jesus’ crucifixion. "Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph,and the mother of Zebedee’s sons. (Matthew 27:56). She was also one of the two Marys who were present during Jesus’ burial. "Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb" ( vv 60-61).
How would someone originally considered a cast off, tormented with a paralyzing spirit, end up as so close to Jesus ! Not only does this signify that the Gospel of Jesus is about turning around lives once shunned, often against eyebrows, but here we see God can use perhaps the most unlikely candidate for His purposes.
From Jesus's acceptance of Mary Magdalene and other odd characters ( including a thief on a cross), it is a reminder that ours is a God of second chance. Where you are plagued with anxiety of being accepted because of a past and indeed you find those near you not so forgiving, Jesus has his arms spread out for you!
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, because you are a God of second chance, I come to you with full confidence knowing in you the "old becomes new" and I can look forward to a bright future, regardless of the past, this I pray in Jesus'name.
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17/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 All day“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15)
One of the defining aspects we see in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He began the day with prayer. “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). As he was always surrounded by crowds and after such a busy day before of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debates this must have been a therapeutic moment for Christ when he would have some good time to himself.
But there was also more. For Jesus being away in a secluded place would also mean a chance to pour out His heart to God, meditate in quietness, plan for the day ahead and listen to the Father. Jesus must have looked up to this moment every day knowing its benefits. Conversations with His Father must have been real and intimate, bringing a certain soothing and uplifting of His spirit. You do not wake up and stick to something on a daily basis that is a drag – this must have been his best time of the day!
Martin Luther the leader of the protestant reformation is reputed to once have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Here is the point. In the olden days before the arrival of locomotive transport those who were setting out for a long journey on foot had to start early with the first cock crow before the punishing sun came out. One of the things they had to start with also was a good meal, which was fuel needed to give them energy through the long walk to their destiny.
There are no rules about waking up to pray as first thing- or even saying prayer at a defined hour of the day. God is everywhere and ever with us. He is accessible at any time of the day. But there is something special about prioritizing our lives that the first thing we do is to talk to God. Just like the early traveller we need fuel, for the long day ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and privilege to make time at the start of any day, talk and hear from you, for the power I need through the day, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
