Roommates From Hell


"...Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had come out;" Luke 8:2
      
     Her invited guests were the roommates from Hell; seven of them, each as mean and vicious as the other. Originally, the lady welcomed them in; offered them a comfortable place to reside. Eventually their true nature emerged. They proceeded to turn their surroundings into a mirror image of their own home...Hell. Unfortunately, the woman was powerless to evict them. No legal system had authority or jurisdiction over them.
     Such was the state of affairs of Mary of Magdala. Life might have been more bearable if she could leave her residence and escape the uproar and chaos. She could not. Her roommates from Hell possessed her very being. There was no place short of death, a thought they would have highly endorsed, where she could flee.
     Scripture does not share the details of how she crossed paths with the One who possessed the ability and willingness to set her free. He not only vanquished the spirits responsible for her state of torment; but also gave her access to a whole new way of life. Once an outcast by social standards, Mary found herself in the company of women who enjoyed being with her. The men...when was the last time she interacted with them without pressure to give her body away either willingly or by force? Now she was treated with courtesy and respect, like a lady.
     "I Don't Know How To Love Him", from the musical Jesus Christ Superstar attempted to address the the conflicting emotions Mary experienced in her new lifestyle. I do not endorse the theological or biblical accuracy of the song, but there is a kernel of truth to be found there. "In the past few days when I see myself, I seem like someone else" and indeed Mary was someone else. Scripture teaches that "if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things have passed away-behold all things have become new." 2 Cor 5:17 In the original Greek, new creation has the connotation of something created that never existed before. The removal of the demonic invaders gave Mary her first opportunity to experience peace and quiet in the physical, emotional and spiritual realms. Jesus made a profound mark on her life changing her forever.
     Her former life produced a degree of fearlessness. Mary stood at the cross with the other women and John and witnessed the brutality of a crucifixion. She joined several women and went to the tomb despite the fact that it was sealed and under Roman guard. The Master deserved a proper burial. Mary was determined He would have it. This would be the last time she could lavish her love on the One Who gave her life. What a surprise Jesus had in store for her. The first to see Him, the former demoniac proclaimed the inaugural Easter message, HE IS RISEN!
     The radical change in Mary's life was the direct result of the transforming power of God's love, grace and mercy. God avails these gifts to all in need of a complete overhaul or a simple tune-up to their life. God believed Mary and each of us was worth the price He paid to restore our relationship with Him. Because of His love, Mary went from having "roommates from Hell" to being God's roommate in Heaven eternally.