Lessons from Israel: Magdala

The Gospels never specifically refer to a small village on the Sea of Galilee called Magdala.  Yet we know Jesus had a great deal of influence there. It’s almost certain he visited this town frequently.  It’s claim to fame is a lady named Mary. You know her as Mary Magdalene - “Mary from Magdala.” Jesus cast seven demons out of her.  She, in turn, supported Jesus and his ministry in practical ways. While modern conspiracy theories have Jesus romantically involved with her, Mary was probably an older lady who was a mother figure to Jesus and his disciples.

Today Magdala is a museum designed to draw our attention to the role of women in the Bible.  As I watched my wife and daughters walk through the ancient village, I thought of how Jesus valued women far beyond the culture in which he lived.  I thought of the way women were created by God to be full participants in his kingdom. Jesus empowered women to join him in unprecedented ways. He understood that God means to do his work just as much through women as men.  Below is a beautiful mural in the chapel at Magdala. It is a depiction of Jesus compassion for a suffering woman. Do you know which story this is?