Belonging to the Lord at His Service

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 11
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There is still another effect of the revelation of Christ to her heart through His word. After the specification of the names of Mary, Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, it says, “and many others, which ministered unto Him of their substance.” This last clause covers all the women, we apprehend, who are mentioned: if so, Mary Magdalene was one of those who were permitted to enjoy the favor of this blessed ministry. Two things follow from the fact thus stated. First, there was the recognition that she belonged wholly to the Lord; and, secondly, that whatever she possessed was at His disposal and for His service. These two things show how completely Mary had been redeemed from the hand of the enemy, and how entirely she owned the rights of her Redeemer. A beautiful illustration of the same thing is given in the case of Simon’s wife’s mother, who was taken with a great fever. In response to the earnest entreaty of those about her, the Lord “stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them” (Luke 4:38-3938And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her. 39And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them. (Luke 4:38‑39)). We may well inquire if we have followed these examples—that of Mary and that of Simon’s mother-in-law. It should be the start of every converted soul, not the end reached after many years of indifference and sorrowful experiences, but the start. Our Christian lives would be far happier if it were so, and our testimony to Christ would then shine out brightly upon the darkness around. If our consideration of Mary Magdalene’s example should further this end, how blessed! But for it to be used in power, and to become operative in our hearts, we need to let the light shine in to expose all the hindrances, and then we should seek grace to judge them, that our souls set thereby in happy liberty might be free to be with the Lord in the intimacy of His affections, to follow Him wheresoever He may lead, and to minister unto Him as He may give the privilege and the opportunity.