Let It Go

Mary Magdalene (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

During this festive season, many of us will gather with friends and families to share delightful meals, laughter and conversation. But for others, memories of the past may arise to haunt you and make you shun these gatherings. You may be thinking of what someone said to you, how they talked to or about you, how they treated you and if you focus on these things, you could have a truly miserable holiday season.

Don't let it happen to you. Christmas is a time of joy as we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Whatever someone said or did to you is not important to ruin your happiness over. Let it go! Give it to Jesus! He came to earth so we can have peace, and this is why He is called the Prince of Peace.

The Bible tells of a lady named Mary Magdalene. She is the only lady in the Bible who is always called by her first and last name. This, I believe, is not only to distinguish her from the other Marys in the Bible, but to make sure everyone knows that she is the Mary who was possessed with seven devils.

But after Jesus healed her, Mary Magdalene did not allow her past affliction to keep her from following Jesus. When Jesus was on the cross, she was right there with the other women (Matthew 27: 56). She waited until Jesus' body was placed in the tomb and the next day she and another Mary returned to embalm the body. And this is where Mary Magdalene received her greatest honor. Jesus appeared to her and said, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, "Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away."  Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to Him, "Rabboni!" (which is to say, Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God' " (John 20: 15 - 17). 

The apostle Paul said, "...forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,  I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3 : 13 - 14). If Mary Magdalene had allowed her past to stand in her way, she would not have received the prize of being the first person to see the risen Jesus and to spread the good news. Her name might not have been recorded in Biblical history. So, what stands between you and your prize? Is it something in your past? Are you still hurting about what others said or did to you? This Christmas give yourself the gift of letting go. Lay it at the bottom of the cross and watch Jesus wash it away in His precious blood.

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• Mary Magdalene
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