11th August 2026

Mary Magdalene is one of the most remarkable women in Scripture. Luke tells us that Jesus had delivered her from the oppression of seven demons (Luke 8:2). Whatever the precise nature of her suffering, her life had been transformed by the healing, liberating grace of Jesus. She was not defined by her past but by the love and acceptance she found in him.

From that moment onward, Mary became one of Jesus’s devoted followers. She travelled with him, supported his ministry (Luke 8:1-3), and remained faithful when many others fled. She stood near the cross as Jesus died (John 19:25); witnessed his burial (Mark 15:47) and, before dawn on the first day of the week, returned to the tomb while it was still dark (John 20:1). Her steadfast love reflected the transforming power of God’s grace.

Yet Mary’s greatest moment came not because of her faithfulness, but because of Christ’s faithfulness. Grieving outside the empty tomb, she initially failed to recognise the risen Jesus. It was only when he lovingly called her by name, ‘Mary’, that her eyes were opened. The Good Shepherd knows his sheep, and his sheep recognised his voice (John 10:3-4). This beautiful encounter reminds us that the Christian life does not begin with our search for God, but with God’s search for us. Long before we recognised him, the risen Lord knew us, loved us, and called us into relationship with himself: grace always takes the initiative.

Salvation is rooted entirely in the finished work of Jesus Christ. The Father has reconciled humanity to himself through the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of his Son. Our response of faith is not an attempt to earn God’s favour, but a joyful participation in the relationship Jesus has already established on our behalf. Mary’s story illustrates this truth vividly: she did not earn the privilege of seeing the risen Christ; she received it as a gift of grace. 

Jesus then entrusted Mary with an extraordinary commission: ‘Go…to my brothers and tell them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” ’ (John 20:17). The woman once bound by darkness became the first witness to the resurrection, proclaiming, ‘I have seen the Lord!’ (v.18). Grace not only restores – it also sends. Those who encountered the risen Christ became participants in his continuing mission to announce the good news to the world. 

Mary Magdalene’s life encourages every believer. Our failures, wounds, or past do not determine our future. Jesus calls each of us by name, welcomes us into his life, and invites us to share in what he is doing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Because Christ lives, we too have hope, purpose, and a message worth proclaiming.

Local congregation:
Grace Communion West Hampstead 
Sidings Community Centre
150 Brassey Road
West Hampstead
London
NW6 2BA

Meeting time:
Sunday 12.30 pm

Local congregational contact:
Gordon Brown
gordon.brown@gracecom.church

Word of Life contact:  
wordoflife@gracecom.church