This past week’s portion of scripture in John 20:10-18 is about the empty tomb and Mary Magdalene. This got me wondering about this remarkable woman. Who was this unlikely servant and follower of Christ? We know that Christ cast seven demons out of her. I didn’t want to hurry too quickly past that fact. The transformation in her life must have been remarkable. She belonged to Satan at one point in her life. She was in darkness and miserable, I’m sure. Others only knew her as the one who was demon-possessed. That was her identity. People probably avoided her, crossed the street, put their heads down when they encountered her. Maybe her own family was embarrassed by her. We can only surmise what her life must have been like before she met the Savior.

 Fast forward to John 20, and we see a very different woman. Some quick facts: she came alone to the tomb, she was weeping at the tomb, and she stooped and looked into the tomb. She was a woman with a mission. She loved her Savior and was determined to grieve for Him and take care of the burial needs, alone if necessary.

She was perplexed and grieved when she found the tomb empty. She didn’t recognize Jesus until He called her name. There is that brief but beautiful exchange between them in verse 16, “Jesus said to her, Mary! She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, Rabboni!”

Mary truly loved her Savior. Her first encounter with Jesus was when He cast demons out of her; she was completely transformed and became a devoted follower. Joy must have flooded her soul at the tomb when she recognized his voice and heard her name.

Mary had all the characteristics of a godly woman. She was committed, devoted, grateful, and had a servant’s heart. She was a godly woman. This made me go deeper into what makes a godly woman. Years ago, I met such a woman in our first church. She left an indelible impression on me. Her name was Maxine. She had snow-white hair, pink cheeks and was a little on the plump side. I suspect this was because she was such a good cook and made delicious homemade donuts! She and her husband were true servants and were always helping others in the church and in the community. I can still see their old truck rattling down the road, making donut runs.

She had a beautiful face because she had a beautiful soul, and like Mary, she was devoted to her Savior. The following are some characteristics of a godly woman I came up with, inspired by these two women separated by centuries, but nevertheless true women of God who had beautiful souls for Christ.

 A beautiful soul looks outward and upward, not inward to self-pity.
A beautiful soul prays without ceasing.
A beautiful soul feeds others with her encouragement.
A beautiful soul guards her tongue.
A beautiful soul forgives easily and doesn’t let resentment or bitterness take root.
A beautiful soul is devoted to her Savior and never forgets from whence she came.

It’s been said that beauty is only skin deep, but I say true beauty is deeper still. It starts in the heart with a proper understanding of who Christ is and what He has done for us on the cross. This is where we as believers get our new and lasting identity.

Mary had been given a new identity. Before, she was rejected, despised, and probably treated like an outcast. After her initial encounter with Jesus, she was a new creature in Christ. Her identity wasn’t wrapped up in who she used to be. She had been forgiven, cleansed, and clothed in righteousness. Isn’t it amazing how God uses the least likely people for His service and purposes?

I love Mary’s statement in verse 18, “I have seen the Lord!” That statement is loaded with amazement, devotion, and love. As believers in Jesus Christ, may we never forget when He called our name, and we were transformed, like Mary, from darkness to light.