Digging Deeper: Jesus Cleanses Us Completely
Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned to him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). 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.’” Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord.”
John 20:16-18 (NLT)
JESUS CLEANSES US COMPLETELY
As I was this the Lord gave me a nudge. He reminded me of how personally special Easter is to me and asked me to share it with you, because maybe you’re where I was on Easter Sunday nine years ago.
I was walking with Jesus and doing the best I could to fully embrace my redemption, but the truth was I was completely shackled by the weight of shame from my past. I wasn’t walking in the sin that had held me captive for so long, but I still felt like I was living a lie. That if anyone really knew who I had been or the things I had done, they’d never talk to me or invite me back to “Godly” things. So I worked hard to avoid anyone from my past and focused on the future. I divided my life into two parts- Before Jesus and After Jesus, and in no way could those two world collide.
I wonder if Mary Magdalene ever felt that way. I wonder if she ever worried that she’d see someone from her “before Jesus” life and they would not believe her transformation was real. Or, if she feared anyone from her “after Jesus” life would find out the deepest, ugliest secrets from her past.
I have to believe she battled those thoughts and fears just like I did, and like so many other believers do. But that’s why this Easter message is so special to me in such a personal way that could only be delivered by Jesus.
He revealed himself first to the one with the most scandalous past. Not only that, but she was the one he charged with telling the first ever complete Gospel story! Talk about a redemption!
On Easter Sunday 2015, as I was dead smack in the middle of one of the hardest physical and emotional battles I have ever walked through, every single chain was broken as I fully understood, accepted, and embraced the forgiveness I had been given.
Just like Mary, I was not defined by my past, nor did it determine my future!
Friend, I don’t know where this finds you, but if you are like I was, struggling to break free of the weight of shame and guilt, I pray now in the mighty name of Jesus that every chain would be broken as you soak in the beauty and redemption of today’s passage!
PRAY
Jesus thank you that by your blood our sin and shame is paid in full! Father, thank you that we are forgiven and free and not defined by our past. Thank you for the cross, for bearing the weight of my punishment so that I can live a transformed live here and now as I await forever with you in Glory. I love you Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray- Amen
Minda Seagraves has been married to her best friend, Russell, for 17 years and is mom to Carson and Maddie. She is also a full-time missionary with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, serving as a chaplain to local female high school teams and supports 380 staff across four states in the U.S. and 20 countries in East Africa as the Regional Director of Talent Advancement with FCA. Minda and her family live in Acworth and have been attending NorthStar Church since 2020.