A Changed Woman

A Changed Woman

Q: How many demons did Jesus cast out of Mary Magdalene?

• a. 1
• b. 5
• c. 7

Mary Magdalene is sometimes believed to be the sinful woman in yesterday’s devotion, but she’s not. We don’t know that woman’s name, but Mary is called by name in her story. The only thing we know about Mary is that she was from the fishing village of Magdala on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. She is called Mary Magdalene because there are many other women named Mary in the Gospels.

Mary Magdalene had seven demons living in her. Demons were evil spirits that took over a person’s body and caused a lot of trouble for that person. They could make a person deaf, blind, or mute. Or they could cause seizures and many other things because they took complete control of the person.

Mary Magdalene didn’t want to be possessed by demons, but there wasn’t much hope for her. When Jesus cast out the seven demons from Mary, she was a changed woman. Mary was no longer an outcast. She became a faithful follower of the Lord.

Mary didn’t return to her home, but she traveled with Jesus along with several other women who helped support Jesus and his disciples financially. They may have helped with some of their other practical needs too. Because Mary followed Jesus, she witnessed both his death and his resurrection.

After Jesus cast out Mary’s demons, her life was forever changed. She followed Jesus and never looked back.

For You

Jesus changed Mary’s life completely. Can you name some ways your life is different because you know Jesus?

Answer: c

[Jesus] took his twelve disciples with him, along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them [was] Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons.   Luke 8:1-2

(The Whole Story: Luke 8:1-3)