Luke 8:1-3: Afterward [Jesus] journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod's steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources.
Mark 16:9: Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons.
While clearing out a storage room, a high school teacher stumbled upon an old reel to reel tape marked “MLK” Speech. The box that held the tape was in a pile of trash about to be discarded. It was a speech given by Dr. King decades earlier during a trip to an inner city high school. Amazed, full of curiosity and excitement, she hurried off to share the jewel of a find with another teacher. They were certain that their administrators would share the same enthusiasm. To their utter disbelief, no one seemed to care. The administrators made no effort to highlight the film, have the film transferred to a modern day form of media, or even announce the find. It was as if they were saying, “yea, yea, yea, another King speech.”
The teachers, however, never gave up hope that the film could be used to lift and inspire their students. They took it upon themselves to have the old tape transferred to a CD. They kept pushing until finally, our local news paper got wind of the story and had it published. Students who were in the audience when Dr. King spoke at the school fondly shared how his words impacted their lives. The film is now used in civics and history classes to teach young, inner city children of the possibilities that lie within them.
Mary Magdalene was “rescued from the trash” so to speak when Jesus welcomed her into His ministry. She was a troubled woman with a tortured past. No doubt others ignored her, made fun of her, ostracized her, demeaned her, treated her as trash. But Jesus rescued her from the abyss of disregard. He welcomed her, encouraged her and loved her. Mary Magdalene became one of Jesus’ most faithful followers and was granted the privilege of seeing Him first after the resurrection.
What or who have you tossed upon the trash heap? What or who in your life has become so familiar that you now see them or it through the eyes of contempt (familiarity breeds contempt)? Be careful - things of great worth have been found amidst the rubble.
Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com
Until Next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris
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