Lent Day 39 [04.03.2026] The First Witness

Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that He had said these things to her. - John 20:18

Scripture: John 20:1-31

Upon His glorious resurrection, Jesus chooses to appear to Mary Magdalene. Jesus had casted out seven demons from Mary Magalene in Luke 8, and from that moment on she devoutly followed Jesus. But why did Jesus choose to appear to her first over His disciples or even family? It is because she stayed. John 19:25 shows us that Mary Magdalene witnessed Jesus’ crucifixion. Matthew 27:55-56 shows us that she was there when Jesus gave up His life. Mark 15:40 shows us that she was there when darkness covered the land upon Jesus’ death. Matthew 27:61 and Mark 15:47 shows us she was present in Jesus’ burial and our scripture today shows she returned to the tomb after Jesus’ death. She did not abandon Jesus like many disciples did, but remained through His crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. In doing so, she became the first witness of the empty tomb, and the first witness of the resurrected Jesus.

Yet, why did Jesus choose Mary? We know that in Jesus’ time, women had lower status than men and Mary Magdalene was previously a demon-possessed woman; however, Jesus chose her above all others because she had a deep love for Jesus. While life had moved on for many others, for Mary, her life became frozen and found her refuge in the presence of Jesus even while He was tortured, crucified, and buried. Her love for Jesus spoke louder than the bold words of the disciples who had fled. Her love for Jesus overcame all status and culture to become the first witness of Jesus’ resurrection.

Reflection:

1.     What does the resurrection of Jesus Christ mean to us?

2.     How can the resurrection of Jesus Christ overcome my doubts and insecurities?

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for the resurrection. In You, I have not only received forgiveness, but also everlasting life. You have overcome the grave and defeated death. Now I have nothing to fear when I live my life upon the truth that You are alive. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

제목: 첫 번째 증인 (The First Witness)

본문: 요한복음 20:1-31

영광스러운 부활 이후, 예수님께서는 마리아 막달라에게 가장 먼저 나타나십니다. 예수님께서는 Gospel of Luke 8장에서 마리아 막달라에게서 일곱 귀신을 쫓아내셨고, 그 순간부터 그녀는 예수님을 헌신적으로 따르기 시작했습니다. 그렇다면 왜 예수님께서는 제자들이나 가족보다 그녀에게 먼저 나타나셨을까요? 그것은 그녀가 끝까지 남아 있었기 때문입니다.

Gospel of John 19:25는 마리아 막달라가 예수님의 십자가를 목격했음을 보여줍니다.Gospel of Matthew 27:55-56은 그녀가 예수님께서 숨을 거두실 때 그 자리에 있었음을 말합니다.Gospel of Mark 15:40은 예수님의 죽음 때 온 땅에 어둠이 임할 때에도 그녀가 वहाँ 있었음을 보여줍니다.또한 Gospel of Matthew 27:61과 Gospel of Mark 15:47은 그녀가 예수님의 장례에도 함께했음을 기록하고 있으며, 오늘 본문은 그녀가 예수님의 죽음 이후 무덤으로 다시 돌아왔음을 보여줍니다.

그녀는 많은 제자들처럼 예수님을 떠나지 않고, 십자가와 장례, 그리고 부활의 순간까지 끝까지 함께했습니다. 그 결과, 그녀는 빈 무덤의 첫 번째 증인이 되었고, 부활하신 예수님을 가장 먼저 만난 사람이 되었습니다.

그렇다면 왜 예수님께서는 마리아를 선택하셨을까요? 당시 사회에서 여성은 남성보다 낮은 지위를 가지고 있었고, 마리아 막달라는 과거에 귀신 들렸던 사람이었습니다. 그럼에도 불구하고 예수님께서 그녀를 선택하신 이유는 그녀가 예수님을 향한 깊은 사랑을 가지고 있었기 때문입니다.

많은 사람들에게는 삶이 다시 흘러가기 시작했지만, 마리아에게는 시간이 멈춘 것과 같았습니다. 그녀는 예수님께서 고난을 당하시고, 십자가에 달리시고, 장사되시는 순간에도 그분의 곁에 머물렀고, 그분의 임재 안에서 위로를 찾았습니다. 그녀의 사랑은 도망쳤던 제자들의 담대한 말보다 더 크게 말하고 있었습니다. 그녀의 사랑은 모든 지위와 문화를 뛰어넘어 부활의 첫 번째 증인이 되게 했습니다.

묵상 질문

1. 예수 그리스도의 부활은 우리에게 어떤 의미가 있습니까?

2. 예수님의 부활은 나의 의심과 두려움을 어떻게 이길 수 있게 합니까?

   
   

기도

하나님 아버지, 부활의 은혜를 감사합니다. 주님 안에서 저는 죄 사함뿐만 아니라 영원한 생명을 받았습니다. 주님께서 무덤을 이기시고 죽음을 이기셨기에, 이제 주님이 살아 계시다는 진리 위에 제 삶을 세울 때 두려워할 것이 없습니다.예수님의 이름으로 기도합니다. 아멘.