Women & Leadership: What We Learn from Mary Magdalene

Sometimes, being a woman and being a leader can be difficult. Even in the ways the Church has grown in accepting and affirming women, it can still feel lonely or isolating.

Mary Magdalene knew this well. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, let’s look at her life to see what we can learn about how God views women.

Before Jesus, Mary lived a life of isolation –– consumed by seven evil spirits, cut-off from her family and friends, given the name and title of “unclean,” and pushed to the shadows of society. One beautiful day, however, her hopelessness crashed into Jesus’ healing, and he fully restored her back to life and into fellowship.

Despite being an outcast, Mary was among the few people, let alone women, who traveled with Jesus and saw the power and authority he had over sin, disease, weather... everything. Not only was she chosen to be a witness to this, but her partnership with Jesus also deepened every day and led to her being transformed into an unexpected leader of our faith (Luke 8:1-3). 

Throughout the gospels, there are multiple stories depicting Mary’s faith and commitment to Jesus’ ministry. However, none stand out as much as the moments involving Mary through the crucifixion and resurrection.

Mary’s Dedication

First, while Jesus was being publicly crucified, none of the twelve male disciples except for John were present. Mary, on the other hand, remained there along with several other women. They endured the trauma of watching his betrayal, hearing the lies shouted against him, and seeing him die in front of their very eyes.

Even in her grieving, Mary stayed. 

In fact, Mary stayed with Jesus through every season –– through her own journey from death to life, throughout his ministry years, and through his suffering and death. Through the good, bad, and ugly, she faithfully remained by his side. 

This loyalty to Jesus sets an example for all of God’s people, not only women. But Mary’s status as a woman in her society shows us that what mattered to Jesus wasn’t status or power, but dedication. 

Mary Was the First

Second, Mary was first: first to learn the tomb was empty and first to encounter Jesus after his resurrection. 

Three days after Jesus was crucified, Mary was the first to arrive at Jesus’ tomb to perform the Jewish burial rituals, only to find the tomb empty (John 20:1). When she immediately ran to tell Peter and John, it seems  they felt the need to confirm it themselves, returning to the tomb where they“saw and believed” (John 20:8).

The brothers left, but Mary stayed and lingered at the tomb. Then, Jesus appeared to her, and she was the first to see him after he resurrected (John 20:11-16). 

But why did Jesus do this? Why didn’t he show up while Peter and John were still there? 

While we don’t know the answers, it’s hard to imagine that Jesus would see women as lesser-than yet would choose Mary to be the first to see him. Maybe it was because of her previously mentioned dedication and faith. Maybe it was because he wanted to appear to only one person first, rather than a group. 

Either way, it’s significant that Mary was chosen as the first. 

Mary Led

After Jesus came to Mary, and as she literally clung to him, he asked her to lead. 

17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.

John 20:17-18

Yet again, Jesus chose Mary. He charged her to go tell the disciples that he is alive, and in doing so, she was the first to preach the good news of the resurrected king to others. 

Women for generations were used, abused, and not dignified, but Mary was held responsible by Jesus to proclaim the fulfillment of this generations-old prophesy. Rather than sticking to societal norms and expectations, Jesus empowered Mary. She went from unclean and demon-filled to a trusted leader.

What Can We Learn? 

The way Jesus treated Mary –– healing her, including her, choosing her, and empowering her –– flipped expectations of the place of women. She trusted Jesus at every step, obeying him even when it was hard, and as a result, Jesus entrusted her with great privilege and responsibility as a vital part of his ministry.

Jesus’ interactions with Mary are just one of the reasons why InterVarsity affirms women in leadership at every level. Mary not only supported Jesus’ ministry financially, but she also partnered with him in critical ways just as the twelve did. 

In the same way, the women in our chapters and across our movement are also a crucial part of our ministry. 

If you’re a woman, are there places where you feel like you need empowerment from the Holy Spirit? Are there lies you’ve believed about yourself that inhibit the ways God uses you on campus or among family, friends, or neighbors? 

If you’re a man, how might God be asking you to partner well with and make space for women around you? 

For all of us, may we follow Mary’s example of unwavering devotion to Jesus, of obedient and bold sharing of the gospel with people around us, and of leading in the ways he’s called us to.