“After Jesus rose from the dead early on the first day of the week, he showed himself first to Mary Magdalene. One time in the past, he had forced seven demons out of her.”
Mark 16:9 NCV
“After this, while Jesus was traveling through some cities and small towns, he preached and told the Good News about God’s kingdom. The twelve apostles were with him, and also some women who had been healed of sicknesses and evil spirits: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out; Joanna, the wife of Cuza (the manager of Herod’s house); Susanna; and many others. These women used their own money to help Jesus and his apostles.”
Luke 8:1-3 NCV
I love that God included these verses as divine inspiration in His Word. It tells me that Jesus focused on the whole health of a person.
The very first person He showed Himself to after His resurrection was someone who had been mentally unfit and unbalanced her whole life until the day Jesus showed up. Even at the time of His revelation of His resurrection Mary was battling depression. She was searching for the body of her Messiah. The last time she had seen His body, it was being prepared for burial. Her sole focus on getting up the morning of this revelation was to complete Jesus’ burial preparation. Her heart was broken and bleeding. Her mind was in a state of bewilderment. Her strength was waning because in the last three days she had probably cried buckets of tears. Her soul was depleted because the One she thought would deliver her nation now lay dead and buried, or so she thought.
Now enter her resurrected Lord. He speaks her name, “Mary.”
““Woman,” Jesus said to her, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for? ” Supposing He was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you’ve removed Him, tell me where you’ve put Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus said, “Mary.” Turning around, she said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” — which means “Teacher.” “Don’t cling to Me,” Jesus told her, “for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to My brothers and tell them that I am ascending to My Father and your Father — to My God and your God.” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord! ” And she told them what He had said to her.”
John 20:15-18 HCSB
During the Last Supper Jesus promised to leave His followers peace.
““ Shalom I leave you, My shalom I give to you; but not as the world gives! Do not let your heart be troubled or afraid.”
John 14:27 TLV
The original Hebrew language uses the word Shalom. It speaks of wholeness and completeness. Not just peace that calms the heart, but peace that flows into your thoughts and ebbs its way into your soul and infuses you whole body with strength.
This is the type of healing Jesus gave Mary of Magdalene one day, and it is the type of peace she received the moment He spoke her name. It was shalom that washed away her fear and bewilderment because she didn’t know where her Messiah was.
May is Mental Health Month. Our world and our nation is shrouded in chaos and violence. Schools are rocked and children are thrown into fear, but there is a way to Shalom and completeness. Follow the steps Mary took that first Easter Morning. Search for Jesus somewhere you will find Him and He will bring complete wholeness to your mind, your heart, your soul and your strength.