Mary Magdalene was a woman mentioned in the Bible as having been delivered of seven demons (Luke 8:2, Mark 16:9). Rather that attempt to identify the seven demons and their significance, it seems beneficial to simply note that there were seven demons. In scripture, seven represents completeness as demonstrated throughout the Bible, notably in Revelation with seven churches, seven angels, seven plagues…and so on. Revelation describes the completion of God’s work through Christ, resulting in the declaration “it is finished” (Revelation 21:6) and God referred to the number seven while completing His work.
The word ‘demon’ is associated with evil both throughout the Bible as well as secular terminology. As Mary Magdalene was described as having seven demons, we could conclude that she was described as being completely evil. That is only a description. Christ saw something different in Mary. In scripture Christ does not dispute the description, and chooses instead to focus his love and kind treatment towards Mary. Following the resurrection of Christ, He revealed Himself to Mary Magdalene first after she was found grief stricken outside His tomb.
“but Miryam stood outside crying. As she cried, she bent down, peered into the tomb, and saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Yeshua had been, one at the head and one at the feet. “Why are you crying?” they asked her. “They took my Lord,” she said to them, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” As she said this, she turned around and saw Yeshua standing there, but she didn’t know it was he. Yeshua said to her, “Lady, why are you crying? Whom are you looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you’re the one who carried him away, just tell me where you put him; and I’ll go and get him myself.” Yeshua said to her, “Miryam!” Turning, she cried out to him in Hebrew, “Rabbani!” (that is, “Teacher!”)” (John 20: 11-16, Complete Jewish Bible)
This blog is meant for everyone who can identify with feeling the shame of descriptions and ‘labels’ that do not reflect how God sees us. While the world described Mary Magdalene as completely evil, Christ loved her and showed her His love through his care and kindness. The Bible does not describe how Mary came to be ‘completely evil’, although we know she became a follower of Christ. His love transforms lives, not with rigid religious tenets, but by changing our hearts, thoughts, and ultimately our deeds.