A few years ago I had the privilege of working with a beautiful group of teenage girls at Easter. I wrote this short play for them to act out. It was about the three Mary’s in Christ’s life here on earth. What were their thoughts as they walked with him. I hope you enjoy it on this Resurrection Sunday!
“Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.” John 12:3
This is what I imagine Mary (who anointed Jesus’ feet) was thinking. Her view was Jesus before He went to the cross.
Jesus You’re here with me today, Your words I ask to hear
I’ve listened to the words You speak and long to be near.
Oh yes, I DO believe on You, Whom the Father has sent.
To save this world from all our sins – oh yes, I now repent.
Jesus, grant me Your salvation and come now into my heart.
The cross is ahead – death will come – but You will do Your part.
For those who believe on You can look, TO the cross and always know
Forever their soul will be at peace and to heaven they will surely go.
“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.” John 19:25-27
“These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.”
Acts 1:14
Can you imagine, Mary, the mother of Jesus, at the cross with Him? She was there. Scripture tells us so. The thoughts, fears, and tears that must have been going through her mind and yet she knew her Son was important. She knew she needed Him to save her for eternity.
Son of mine and Son of God,
I kneel at the cross today
Salvation through You for all who will come
It’s so important that no one delay.
God sent You to me for a few short years
And the work that I saw you do.
I’ll never forget and I’ll continue to live
And serve you, being faithful and true.
“But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.” John 20:11-16
Mary Magdalene was a devoted Christ follower. She knew that He had changed her life dramatically. As she wept there in the Garden of Gethsemane, what a moment for her to look up and see her Savior. Her joy when she realized He had risen as He said and eternal life was hers.
I’m weeping now that He is dead, His grave I kneel before
But when I turn it’s Him I see, Himself, Jesus, Whom I adore.
He is not dead but now alive, my sins forgiven I see
My weeping turns to joy for now life is eternal for me.
The cross is behind us as we celebrate, life eternal for all who believe
The Son of God – risen and lives – come – His salvation to receive.
My sins are forgiven, my life is complete, this tomb no longer binds
My Savior – My God – the Lord of my life He is the Savior of mankind.
“He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” Matthew 28:6
“Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” Romans 4:25
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” I Peter 1:3
Three Mary’s who knew Jesus and His life on earth. They had their moments of trials and their moments of doubts and yet in the end they all knew He was Who He said He was. They knew that believing His death on the cross came as a sacrifice for Him but out of abundant love for us. He came to die, to save the world. He rose to bring us eternal life. We can now sit with God in heaven and be complete in Him for eternity.