Mary Magdalene: The women who learned true love

The person we whose life and ministry we wish to see was called Mary Magdalene or ‘Maria Magdala'. We do not know now where Magdala was situated, but probably in Jesus' company this was the name given to distinguish which Mary she was. She heads the list of the women in the company: the others were Jesus' disciples, although we cannot be sure they were limited to the 12. It was a wonderful company because it travelled through villages and cities ‘preaching and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God'. This meant (as in Matt. 4:23-24; Acts 10:38; Matt. 12:28) telling the gospel John the Baptist preached, healing and casting out demons, and pointing to the liberty which was to come through the Cross and Resurrection. So it was a purposeful, happy group, sharing and living the good news in the presence of their Lord.