Some leaders create spaces where people can do their best work, and others put so much pressure or provide so little support that the people they lead struggle more than they have to.
Jesus was the type of leader who took the burden and stress off of people so they had peace and could be the best version of themselves. Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
In the Bible, the yoke has a few different meanings. Most often, it refers to a wooden frame placed on the necks of two animals, like oxen, so they can together pull or plow a cart.
In the Old Testament, the yoke was a metaphor for oppression and slavery. In the New Testament, the yoke meant duties, obligations, and responsibilities.
Stress is a part of everyone’s life, and if we seek God, He will help us better manage the stress and our responsibilities, our yoke, so that it doesn’t hold us back and keep us from living a life overflowing with love, joy, and peace.
Mary Magdalene was one of Jesus's closest followers. She was with Him when He was crucified on the cross and was the first person to report His resurrection to the disciples.
Mary lived a rough life before meeting Jesus. Luke 8:1-3 says Mary, along with a few other women, traveled with Jesus and His disciples, bringing the good news of Jesus, and it says Jesus healed Mary from evil spirits, including sending seven demons out of her body.
Hebrews 11:6 says God “rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Mary sought Jesus, and Jesus healed her and gave her rest.
Then, Mary never left Jesus. She never stopped seeking God.
Mary was with Jesus when He was hung on the cross, she was the first person to notice that Jesus wasn’t in His tomb after His death, and Mary was the first person Jesus spoke to after His resurrection.
How did a demon-possessed woman become the first person to see and announce the resurrection? She had been with Jesus. Mary knew she needed the presence of Jesus, she sought Him, and she stayed with Him, even after His death.
Psalm 16:11 says, “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” When we relentlessly seek the presence of God and Jesus as Mary did, we will receive the peace, joy, and comfort we crave.
SOMETHING(s) TO THINK ABOUT
1 - What was your biggest takeaway from the story of Mary Magdalene?
2 - In what ways do you need to seek Jesus so that you can feel peace and comfort?
3 - What is keeping you from seeking Jesus?
4 - How can you overcome those barriers, and what can you intentionally do this week to get closer to Jesus?
My Prayer
Our, Father. Thank you for the peace, love, and joy that you offer and give freely. Please lead me to seek you and your presence more so that peace, love, and joy may abundantly overflow in my life and through the lives of the people I interact with. In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen.
For a printable PDF version of this devo, click here: Mary Magdalene: Finding Peace and Rest in Jesus