Mary Magdalene's devotion to Christ, is one of the most beautiful stories in the Gospels. Tradition has branded her as a great sinner—but there is really nothing in the New Testament to prove that the tradition is true. It is said that Jesus had cast seven demons out of her—but demoniacal possession is not identified in the Gospels with immorality. It is enough to know of Mary, that the love of Christ saved her. When she saw Him in His divine purity, and when His holy eye looked into her heart, her old self perished—and a new woman, without spot, arose in her.
A wonderful devotion to her new Master now possessed her. A great Moravian missionary used to say, "I have only one passion—and that is Jesus." So it was with Mary of Magdala. Whatever form of evil it was that had absorbed her life before Jesus found her, she was now utterly possessed, body, mind and soul—by her passion for Christ. In all the New Testament, there is no finer example of the consecration of a life to Christ.
During the crucifixion, Mary was among the holy women who stood beholding, in love's marvelous devotion. Perhaps she was present when Joseph and Nicodemus took down the body of Jesus from the cross, washed it, wrapped it in spices, and laid it to rest in the clean, new tomb, cut in the rock. When the other friends went away from the garden, the record shows us this picture of devotion, "Mary Magdalene was sitting there, facing the tomb."
Her devotion was matchless in its depth and in its intensity.
What was its secret? It was in her mighty love! But why did she love so much? Why did her holy passion for her Master so far exceed that of His other friends who loved Him too with unquestioned loyalty and devotion? It was because she had such a distinct realization of what she owed to Him.
Many people know they have been redeemed—but seem to have only the faintest conception of the meaning of their redemption. Mary understood with unusual clearness, what Christ had done for her, and her whole soul went out to Him in adoring love.
Mary's devotion to Christ continued to show itself after His death. She had no expectation that He would rise again—but she sought to honor His dead body. Her love was rewarded by being the first to whom He showed Himself alive—and the first to carry the news of the resurrection to the disciples.
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J.R. Miller (1840 - 1912)
Prolific author and pastor of Presbyterian churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois, Rev. James Russell Miller served the USCC as a field agent in the Army of the Potomac and Army of the Cumberland.J.R. Miller began contributing articles to religious papers while at Allegheny Seminary. This continued while he was at the First United, Bethany, and New Broadway churches. In 1875, Miller took over from Henry C. McCook, D.D. when the latter discontinued his weekly articles in The Presbyterian, which was published in Philadelphia. J.R. Miller D.D.'s lasting fame is through his over 50 books. Many are still in publication.
James Russell Miller (March 20, 1840 - July 2, 1912) was a popular Christian author, Editorial Superintendent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication, and pastor of several churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois.
In 1857, James entered Beaver Academy and in 1862 he progressed to Westminster College, Pennsylvania, which he graduated in June, 1862. Then in the autumn of that year he entered the theological seminary of the United Presbyterian Church at Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Mr. Miller resumed his interrupted studies at the Allegheny Theological Seminary in the fall of 1865 and completed them in the spring of 1867. That summer he accepted a call from the First United Presbyterian Church of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. He was ordained and installed on September 11, 1867.
J.R. Miller began contributing articles to religious papers while at Allegheny Seminary. This continued while he was at the First United, Bethany, and New Broadway churches. In 1875, Miller took over from Henry C. McCook, D.D. when the latter discontinued his weekly articles in The Presbyterian, which was published in Philadelphia.
Five years later, in 1880, Dr. Miller became assistant to the Editorial Secretary at the The Presbyterian Board of Publication, also in Philadelphia.