MARY MAGDALENE -- CHAPTER 2

The first time Jesus noticed Mary, it was merely an awareness of her presence.  He didn't see her with his eyes, but he knew she was in the crowd.  His spirit was always attuned to the cry of a desperate heart. 

As usually happened when Jesus appeared, people pressed into him on all sides.   A woman, holding a young child, cried out "Jesus...Jesus... over here", and immediately the crowd separated to form a path.  He stopped.  Suddenly, eye-to-eye with her, they were alone.  

"What is it, Woman?" he asked with tenderness.  

Tears filled her eyes.  "Master. His legs.  See how bent they are?  He stumbles and falls always. My heart so hurts to watch him.  Oh, Master,  WILL you help him?"  

"Why did you come to me?"  asked Jesus.

"Sir, I have seen you heal others.  I know you care for us. For all of us."  She looked at him and her eyes had an expression of hope and love that moved his heart.
 
As everyone nearby watched, Jesus reached out his hands and placed them gently on the child.  For a few moments he stood in silence, and then aloud he said, "My Father, bless this mother and her son, and grant her request." To the amazement of all around, as he spoke, the child's legs straightened.

With tears of joy and gratitude streaming down her face, the happy mother danced through the crowd, her son in her arms.

Standing on the outer edge of the throng, Mary had listened as Jesus talked with the mother.  Mary couldn't see what was happening, but she heard the tenderness, the acceptance, the love in his voice...the eagerness to end the sadness of the family...his joy at THEIR joy...and she was stirred.

From that time onward, Mary followed Jesus, cautiously, from the distance.  She did not trust men...any man.  She agreed with the ancient observation that "the thoughts of a man's heart are only evil continually,"  and she was determined to not be deceived by another one.

But in Jesus, she had seen caring, unselfish service, love... and although she was not ready to step out from behind her wall, she was willing to wait.  To watch ... and to wait.