“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)

Everyone has a past. And Jesus often met people with a past. Like Mary Magdalene, a woman with a past, whom she delivered of seven demons that had chained her life down (Luke 8:1-3).

After her deliverance 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. “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 Mary’s 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).

So, 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, but here we see God can use perhaps the most unlikely candidate for His purposes.

From Jesus’ acceptance of Mary Magdalene and other odd characters (including a thief on a cross), it should serve as a constant reminder that ours is a God of second chance. Sometimes people can hold a past against you, but not with Jesus. Where you are plagued with anxiety of being accepted because of a past and indeed you find those near you not so forgiving, Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” ( Mathew 11:28-30).

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.