Dare to be Different
I’ve had this quote from The Chosen series rattling around in my brain for the past couple weeks. It’s an interaction between Nicodemus, a religious leader, and the newly converted believer, Mary of Magdala.
As Nicodemus questions, when her healing took place.
Mary humbly responds, “I was one way… and now I am completely different. And the thing that happened in between… was him.”
I often wonder about the backstory of those we read about in scripture. Was Mary Magdalene exposed to faith early on? Did she hold fast to the teaching of the prophets?
Or did her first encounter occur when Jesus healed her?
The Gospel of Luke mentions her by name as one whom Jesus healed of seven demons (Luke 8:2).
Afterward, she became His follower and is recorded at many events, including the culmination of his ministry.
John 19:25 indicates she was one of the Marys present at the crucifixion.
She was also the first witness to the resurrection:
“Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
They asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying?’
‘They have taken my Lord away,’ she said, ‘and I don’t know where they have put him.’ At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
He asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?’
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.’
Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’ (John 20:11-16, NIV).
The very fact that Mary Magdalene is mentioned in all four gospels, one can assume, her role in Jesus’ life and ministry was significant.
The son of God met her in the midst of her mess and everything was different.
She immediately answered the call to follow the one who changed her life.
Mary dared to be different.
I found myself thinking back about my story. Was it similar? Can I pinpoint the instant I understood that the change in my life happened because of Him?
I was introduced to Christianity at an early age. I even recall whispering the “sinner’s prayer” every single Sunday; just to be sure that I had checked off all the boxes.
By the time Junior High arrived, my primary focus was fitting in with my peers. Let’s just say, daring to be different was not at the top of my priority list.
It wasn’t until a new youth pastor entered the scene that everything I’d been taught began to click. I slowly registered what it meant to turn from my way and toward something better.
But one thing about following Christ that I have learned, is that each person’s journey is unique.
While it’s true, I have been a follower of Christ for decades, the sweet freedom that Mary alluded to didn't come until much more recently.
At that moment, the scales of religion and legalism were removed and replaced by complete surrender.
I was no longer bound by a false narrative of perfection; I unsubscribed from the fear of failure and rejection that weighed so heavily.
And the thing that was different… was him.
As I waded through my deepest loss, Jesus extended his love into the valley.
He tenderly picked up the broken mess and began shaping something new.
That encounter and each one since have impacted my entire existence. Daring to be different is now my objective and not the thing I shy away from.
Do you remember the moment you accepted Christ? Do you recall when you experienced overwhelming freedom; discarding your old life and replacing it with new?
I pray for you daily, dear reader, trusting that you also have an encounter with Jesus that will leave you forever changed.
May the lyrics of this decades-old song, by Degarmo and Key, remind you of our purpose once we’ve encountered Jesus…
We dare to be different
Dare to be called strange
Dare to be different
And the cross you wear
Should mean you've truly changed.
““I was one way… and now I am completely different. And the thing that happened in between… was him.””
“Shabbot.” The Chosen, Season 1, Episode 2, 5&2 Studios Productions, 2017.
Dare 2b Different, Album: Heat. It. Up. Artist: DeGarmo & Key, 1993.
