Dare to Be like Mary, the Magdalene

Daily Scripture Threshing for Today, Sunday, October 25, 2026

Today's Text: Luke 8:1-3, John 20:1-18

Key Verse: Mark 16:9 (KJV) - "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."

In Magdala, there was a woman whose life was once a habitation of darkness. The Bible says seven devils lived in her. By seven, one could say she had a complete captivity of evil, torment, shame, and bondage. Men knew her as possessed; heaven would later know her as devoted. After Jesus eraser her demons; He cast them out. He did not manage her past; He erased her past, she did not go back to her old life. She attached her life to the One who gave her life back. She became a follower, a supporter, a servant. Luke tells us that she and other women ministered unto Him of their substance. Her gratitude became her ministry. If ten lepers were cleansed and one returned, this woman was cleansed and never left. Dare to be like her.

Her devotion was not seasonal; it was fierce, loyal, and costly. When many disciples scattered, she stayed. She was there at the cross when it was dangerous to be identified with Jesus. While most apostles hid behind locked doors, she stood there to watch her Deliverer bleed. She was also there at the burial, sitting over against the sepulchre, watching where they laid Him. Love that wasn't sure of triumph yet followed with devotion at the cross and to the tomb. She had been delivered much, so she loved much. Dare to be Mary Magdalene: the woman qwhose gratitude outlived her pain and whose love outlasted her fear. Never let your deliverance become a distant memory. Let it become a daily reason to stay close.

Her devotion led her to seek Jesus early, even when all hope seemed lost. On the first day of the week, while it was yet dark, she was at the sepulchre. Others came after sunrise; she came while it was yet dark. Love cannot wait for convenient light. She did not imagine a resurrection, she was to anoint the corpse but, love still brought her to the tomb. And because she came early, she saw first. The angels spoke to her. Jesus called her by name, and one word from His mouth turned her tears to testimony. She who once had seven devils heard one name and became the first evangelist of the resurrection to tell the apostles. A woman once bound by darkness became the first herald of light. The last at the cross became the first at the empty tomb.

God still honors fierce devotion with first revelations. Dare to be Mary Magdalene: the seeker who comes while it is yet dark. She was that one worshipper who lingers at the tomb until Jesus calls her name. She never excuse herself from service. She did not say, I have my life to live. She let it serve Him. She gave her substance, her presence, her loyalty. She turned her deliverance into devotion, and her devotion into proclamation. Many people want deliverance and blessings today. They want Jesus to cast out their devils but not to command their substance, their time, and loyalty. Mary teaches us that true deliverance always leads to devotion. If He has truly delivered you, you cannot afford to stand afar off again. Love must compelled you to stand by the cross, sit by the tomb, and rise early to seek His face. Dare to be like Mary Magdalene: delivered and devoted, grateful and grounded, rescued and remaining.

Action Steps: Take fifteen quiet minutes today to remember your own Magdala - where Jesus found you, what He cast out of your life, what shame He lifted. Write down seven mercies or deliverances you have received, like her seven devils cast out. Like Mary, turn your gratitude into a concrete act of devotion today: serve quietly in church, support the work of God with your substance, stay for the whole worship service at the feet of Jesus, and seek Him early tomorrow while it is yet dark. Refuse to be a distant follower. Choose to be the one who stays, who seeks, and who proclaims that He is risen.

Quote for the Day: "Deliverance that does not lead to devotion has not yet understood the love of the Deliverer." - (Simon Olatunji #quotablequotes)

Let Us Pray: Heavenly Father, thank You for finding me in my own Magdala and casting out every darkness that held me bound. Forgive me for the times I have taken Your deliverance lightly and followed You from afar. Today I choose fierce devotion like Mary Magdalene. Give me grace to stand by Your cross when it is not popular, to linger at Your tomb when hope looks lost, and to seek You early while it is yet dark. Call me by name again and make me the first to see Your resurrection power in my life, my home, and this House. Let my gratitude become service and my testimony proclaim that You are risen - in Jesus' most glorious and resurrected name. Amen.

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Thank you for threshing the Word with me today. For further study on this topic, please read: Luke 8:1-3; Mark 16:9-11; John 20:1-18; Matthew 27:55-61; Matthew 28:1-10; Psalm 40:1-3.

With all my love and prayers,

Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.

Your Darling Bishop (DaBishop)

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