Last week’s blog The Miracle of the Rescue highlighted Mary Magdalene’s deliverance from demon possession as portrayed in the new television drama The Chosen. I can’t help but give a sneak peek from Season 2 to those of you who haven’t gotten that far. To me, this scene is one of the most moving moments between Mary and Jesus so far.
The writers have taken liberty with the Scriptures to create a very plausible storyline involving Mary’s return to her former way of life. In this scenario, Mary’s emotions are triggered by the appearance of a Roman soldier dressed in all his finery.
Whenever our negative emotions are suddenly and unexpectedly activated, we too have the choice of running back to the familiar (either literally or in our minds), or clinging to the steadfast promises of God and dealing with those emotions quickly.
Mary chose to run, but her disciple friends went after her and brought her back to Jesus. What you are about to see will remind you of the forgiveness Jesus wants to give you and the loving tenderness He has for you …
even when you doubt His love,
even when you think you can’t be good enough,
even when you sin,
even when you feel ashamed,
even when doubts creep in, and
especially when you feel like running away.
Please take three minutes to watch the video, and then read what King David has to say about forgiveness in Psalm 32 (The Passion Translation). There is healing in his words.
Blessings on you, my friend!
“What bliss belongs to the one whose rebellion has been forgiven, those whose sins are covered by blood. What bliss belongs to those who have confessed their corruption to God!
For he wipes their slates clean and removes hypocrisy from their hearts.
Before I confessed my sins, I kept it all inside; my dishonesty devastated my inner life, causing my life to be filled with frustration, irrepressible anguish, and misery. The pain never let up, for your hand of conviction was heavy on my heart. My strength was sapped, my inner life dried up
like a spiritual drought within my soul.
Then I finally admitted to you all my sins, refusing to hide them any longer. I said, “My life-giving God, I will openly acknowledge my evil actions.” And you forgave me! All at once the guilt of my sin washed away and all my pain disappeared!
This is what I’ve learned through it all:
All believers should confess their sins to God; do it every time God has uncovered you in the time of exposing. For if you do this, when sudden storms of life overwhelm, you’ll be kept safe. Lord, you are my secret hiding place, protecting me from these troubles, surrounding me with songs of gladness! Your joyous shouts of rescue release my breakthrough.
I hear the Lord saying, ‘I will stay close to you, instructing and guiding you along the pathway for your life. I will advise you along the way and lead you forth with my eyes as your guide. So, don’t make it difficult; don’t be stubborn when I take you where you’ve not been before. Don’t make me tug you and pull you along. Just come with me!’
So, my conclusion is this:
Many are the sorrows and frustrations of those who don’t come clean with God. But when you trust in the Lord for forgiveness, his wraparound love will surround you. So, celebrate the goodness of God! He shows this kindness to everyone who is his. Go ahead—shout for joy, all you upright ones who want to please him!” (Psalm 32, TPT)
Look up! You’re forgiven. It’s over!
