Contagious Joy: Three Invitations from Mary Magdalene
Through Mary Magdalene’s story, we see how receiving grace, recognizing Jesus’ voice, and sharing His goodness leads to contagious joy.
I once heard my friend share that when his children leave for school in the morning, he tells them to “be joyfully different.” His aim in doing so is to remind his kids that they are set apart as God’s children and that the joy of the Lord is what marks the heart of those who have put their trust in Jesus.
As Christians our joy is distinct. But what does it mean to be filled with the joy of the Lord? What does it look like to live a life marked by joy? And how can this joy spill from our lives in a way that increases others’ joy?
Mary Magdalene was “joyfully different,” and her story shows us how our joy becomes contagious as we live our common mission to share the Good News of Jesus. We all have different callings, unique passions, and distinct giftings. But God’s Word is clear: His children share one specific purpose, to share the gospel, the good news of Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection on our behalf (Matt. 28:19-20). This can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to. Mary Magdalene shows us the joy that is available to us when we share the Greatest Joy with the people God brings into our life. Let’s explore Mary’s story to see what we can learn about the power and importance of sharing joy.
Receive the Grace
Knowing we have nothing apart from Christ allows us to be filled with the joy of the Lord and to be satisfied in His love. This was Mary’s story. In Luke 8:1-3 we learn that Mary’s relationship with Jesus began when Jesus miraculously rescued her from seven demons who possessed her. It’s clear that this lavish act of grace shaped her love and devotion to Jesus for the rest of her life. Mary’s overwhelming gratitude for Jesus’ gracious rescue led to unwavering devotion throughout her time spent in His presence. Knowing our need for God’s grace is what helps us recognize God’s grace as the lavish gift that it is. And we will rejoice in this gift to the extent we know that we need it.
Recognize His Voice
Mary Magdalene only appears a handful of times in the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ time on earth, but she is remembered as one of His most faithful followers, and her life was profoundly impacted by her time with Jesus. In John 20, we see Mary three days after the crucifixion of her Teacher, her Friend, and her Lord. She has come to Jesus’ tomb early in the morning while it was still dark to grieve her profound loss. But she notices instantly that things are not as they should be … or so she thinks.
The tomb stands empty and she assumes Jesus’ body has been stolen. She quickly encounters a man whom she fails to recognize as her resurrected Lord and instead mistakes Him as the culprit and is instantly mistrusting. She appears distraught and confused.
Until He says her name.
“Mary,” Jesus says, and she knows. She hears her own name spoken in a voice that sounds like home. Her heart knows before her mind can comprehend. Jesus is alive. She rejoices readily because she knows Jesus.
Joy comes quickly in response to what it knows. When you know the voice of God, you recognize it easily and rejoice readily. The more you know Jesus, the more you will see the fingerprints of God’s goodness and faithfulness in your story, which naturally increases our joy and sustains us in seasons of both pain and joy. Also, the brain prefers what it knows. So, the more familiar God’s voice becomes, the more our hearts will yearn for His truth!
Recount
There are so many meaningful and moving moments in this scene from John 20 when Mary recognizes Jesus, but Mary’s declaration in verse 18 is one of my personal favorites. Jesus tells Mary to share with the others that He will be ascending to heaven. But first she bursts with joy as she essentially shouts to anyone who will listen, “I saw Him! He’s here!” Her love and delight at the resurrection her Lord cannot be contained.
What Mary probably didn’t understand is that spreading joy by sharing the gospel is at the heart of evangelism. It is one of the ways we are invited to partner with Jesus as He transforms lives. The Greek word for joy—chara—is used in three different contexts throughout the New Testament, and together they give us a full picture of what Mary’s testimony models for us.
Paul refers to joy as a gift of the Holy Spirit, the result of suffering for Christ’s sake, and the result of witnessing the progress of faith in believers—sharing the Good News and sometimes catching a glimpse of how it is transforming people’s lives. Mary was transformed by the joy of the Lord, and that joy overflowed into the lives of those she interacted with.
Telling others about the ultimate joy available to us through Jesus will increase our own joy. Whether we are sharing the good news of the gospel with someone who does not yet know the hope of Jesus or sharing the good news of how He is transforming our hearts, a relationship, or making a way for joy in circumstances that seemed hopeless, spreading the good news of Christ’s presence and power in our lives will increase our joy.
Though Scripture offers only a glimpse of Mary Magdalene’s life, there are three clear invitations embedded in her story that will increase our joy: Knowing our need for Jesus and receiving His grace, pursuing a vibrant friendship with Jesus and knowing His voice, and telling about Jesus and the difference He has made in your heart and in your story. How will you accept and act on each of these invitations today?
In Your Life
What difference has God’s love made in your life? How has God’s grace toward you shaped your desire to follow Jesus?
How does knowing God help you recognize His power and love in your life more easily? How does recognizing His presence in your life lead you to rejoice?
How has sharing the Good News of Jesus increased your joy? Who is someone in your life who might need to hear about the difference knowing Jesus has made in your story?
We Recommend
Daring Joy: What Six Women in the Bible Teach Us About the Power of Celebration When it Feels Risky, Complicated, and Even Impossible — A Bible Study by Nicole Zasowski. In this 7-session Bible study, Nicole Zasowski draws from her experience as a licensed marriage and family therapist to point you to the enduring joy Jesus promises. Through the examples of six women in the Bible who model the vulnerability of joy, the power of celebration, and everything in between, Nicole reveals that abundant joy is something God longs for you to embrace!
Let’s Connect
Nicole Zasowski’s books From Lost to Found and What If It’s Wonderful? can be found anywhere books are sold. Nicole would love to connect with you through her website at nicolezasowski.com or on Instagram at @nicolezasowski.