People who meet JESUS, are never the same. You can’t go back to normalcy, complacency, or hopelessness if you believe in resurrection. And Jesus doesn’t only impact main characters, or people in special positions, he loves all of us – even people who feel or seem forgotten. Today we’re going to look at how Jesus changed people who were overlooked – The names we’ll talk about today are minor character to most, but major characters in the life of Jesus. And I want this to sink in – No matter who you are, Jesus will change your life for the better.
Jesus and the Women:
The First Witnesses to Resurrection
Luke 24:10–11 (NIV) 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.
Luke 8:1–3 (NIV) After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.
Mark 16:9–11 (NIV) 9 When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. 11 When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.
John 20:11–16 (NIV)
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
11 Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”
“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).
Luke 2:35 (NIV) 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
Matthew 27:61 (NIV) 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
Mark 16:1–3 (NIV) Jesus Has Risen
16:1–8pp—Mt 28:1–8; Lk 24:1–10 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”
John 19:25 (NIV) 25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
Acts 12:1–2 (NIV) Peter’s Miraculous Escape From Prison
It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.
Luke 24:5–8 (NIV) 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words.
Series outline adapted from Darling, Daniel. The Characters of Easter. Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.