Here we are at the beginning of May, just eleven days past Easter. This year, during Easter, one of the big focuses, even the focus of my own sermon, was Mary Magdalene. You might be thinking, “Isn’t Easter about Jesus?” Of course it is. But something I’m always reminded of is that Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit are constantly weaving learning points into Scripture, often in ways that aren’t immediately obvious.
When we look at Mary Magdalene, we look at someone who had been cleansed of seven demons. Someone who followed Jesus faithfully through his journey, His crucifixion, and even the first moments after His resurrection.
Honestly, like a lot of people, I hadn’t thought deeply about her before. We can get so wrapped up in the trappings and celebrations of Easter that we miss the stories within the story. Remember: the women went to the tomb to anoint Jesus' body; instead, they found him gone. All four Gospel writers report that Jesus reveals himself first to Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb. She doesn’t recognize him right away, but she runs to tell the others once she does.
And to be honest, I didn’t stumble across all of this myself. Another pastor planted the seed for me on Easter Sunday, but when I dug into it more, the meaning hit me upside the head.
Think about it: Mary Magdalene, a sinner, a woman who had once been possessed, someone society barely considered more than property, was the first person Jesus chose to reveal his resurrection to. If that doesn’t show you the heart of God, I don’t know what does.
God doesn’t care about earthly status, titles, or “having it all together.” He cares about faith, trust, and love.
Mary was so overwhelmed with grief that she didn’t even recognize Jesus standing right in front of her. How often do we let our emotions, stress, or expectations cloud what’s right before us? I know I do; traffic, arguments, a rough day can ruin a moment that should’ve been joyful. So, it’s no surprise that Mary’s grief made her blind at first to the miracle before her.
You might be wondering, “Okay... so what?” Well, think about this: when seven demons possessed Mary, or when she watched Jesus die on the cross, do you think she ever imagined that two thousand years later, millions, maybe billions, would know her name because of her faithfulness?
C.S. Lewis wrote in The Problem of Pain:
"We can ignore even pleasure. But pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world."
When life hurts, when nothing is going the way we expected — that’s often when God speaks loudest.
This month, we celebrate two groups who know all about carrying burdens through pain: Mothers and fallen soldiers.
Mother’s Day reminds us of the incredible sacrifices mothers make, not just during nine months of pregnancy and labor, but also raising and guiding us every day afterward. They endure a lot to bring us into this world and to keep loving us through it.
And on Memorial Day, we honor those who gave their lives for others, the ultimate sacrifice. All those men and women faced fear, hardship, and pain... and still chose to stand firm.
Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Jesus, stayed with him through everything, even when others ran away. They were there at the cross. They were there at the empty tomb. They were important enough to Jesus to be the first to see him alive again.
Sometimes, as leaders, whether in families, churches, businesses, or life, we’re called to do hard, thankless things. To help someone who's struggling. To step up when it costs us something. To stay the course even when there’s no instant reward.
That's what walking the narrow path looks like. That’s what servant leadership looks like.
On Maundy Thursday, remember, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. In service, we find influence. John Maxwell says, “Leadership is influence — nothing more, nothing less.” And Jesus showed us exactly how to earn it.
And for those who laid down their lives for their friends, well, Jesus said it himself in John 15:13:
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
This month, as you move through the celebrations and remembrances, I hope you’ll begin to recognize a deeper thread running through it all, that faith, love, sacrifice, and leadership are not just ideals to admire, but daily choices that shape how we live and lead. These virtues rarely make headlines, but they define legacies.
They show up in quiet moments: a mother comforting a child through uncertainty, a soldier stepping forward without praise, a leader doing the right thing when no one is watching.
Faith, love, sacrifice, and leadership are all tied together.
They are the fabric of servant leadership and shine brightest in the shadows when the world isn’t looking.
Those who gave their lives to defend our country did not do it for fame or glory; they did it because it was the right thing to do. There were no cameras, no spotlights, no fanfares, only a sense of duty, honor, determination, and courage. Courage to overcome fear in the face of bullets and chaos.
Today, we live in a time when many prefer to be "keyboard warriors" or operate in the shadows of dishonesty. But when the light of truth shines on them, they scatter. Light, truth, and honesty remain the most powerful cleansers of all.
That’s why Jesus tells us, "Let your light shine before others..."This May, let’s honor their example: Lead with love. Serve with humility. Stand strong when it matters most.
Who can you serve or encourage this Month?
**I challenge you to be that light for others to follow. **
Faith, Pain, and Leadership