The Last Becomes First

“Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.” (Holy Bible, Mark 16:9, KJV)  

Mary Magdalene was one of the many women who ministered to Jesus as He traveled.  “There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;  (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.” (Holy Bible, Mark 15:40-41, KJV)   Food would need to be prepared; clothes washed, water provided, etc.

“Why did Jesus appear first to Mary Magalene?  Maybe it was because she was forgiven the most, so she loved the most.  “Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.” (Holy Bible, Luke 7:47, KJV)

Think about it.  Jesus did not appear first to Peter, James, and John, the inner three, whom Jesus had asked to watch and pray with Him before His arrest.  Jesus did not appear first to the 12 apostles.  Jesus did not appear first to the 70 men that He sent forth to preach.  Why did Jesus appear first to Mary Magdalene?  The Bible says in Matthew 19:30, “But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.”

Think about it.  Jesus rewarded this woman before all of the men.  This is a good lesson for us in what is going to take place at the Judgment Seat of Christ.  Some women complain that God is not fair to them, and has given them a lowly place in life.  Oh, what a shame that they feel that way, because if they would serve with gladness of heart, they would see, at the Judgment Seat of Christ, that they would be rewarded above many men!  

“Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;  While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.  Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;  But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” (Holy Bible, 1 Peter 3:1-4, KJV). 

Fulfill your role gladly before the Lord.  You will thus be “in the sight of God of great price.”  Think of that as “great rewards” one day, and throughout eternity!

How to be saved.