Lancaster United Methodist Church - Sermon Resources

"Sent from the Garden"
Go and Tell: Mary Magdalene and the Legacy of Women in Ministry
–John 20: 1-18

Sermon Resources

Title: "Sent from the Garden"
Go and Tell: Mary Magdalene and the Legacy of Women in Ministry

Sermon Summary: This profound reflection on Mary Magdalene's encounter with the risen Christ invites us to reconsider both the power of divine recognition and the historical role of women in ministry. At the heart of this message lies the beautiful truth that Jesus chose a woman to be the first witness and proclaimer of the resurrection. Mary Magdalene wasn't selected by accident. She remained faithful at the cross when others fled, and she returned to the tomb in the darkness of early morning to complete the sacred ritual of anointing Jesus' body. Her devotion was rewarded with an encounter that would change everything. When Jesus spoke her name, she recognized Him not by sight but by the deep familiarity of His voice, reminding us of John 10:27, where Jesus says His sheep know His voice. This wasn't merely a reunion but a commissioning. Jesus gave Mary the directive to go and tell the disciples what she had seen. This makes her the first evangelist, the apostle to the apostles. The message challenges us to examine how we've allowed cultural biases and historical misinterpretations to diminish the voices of women in faith leadership, when Christ Himself entrusted the most important news in human history to a woman whose testimony wouldn't have been accepted in court. We're reminded that God's kingdom operates by different rules than worldly power structures, and that the Holy Spirit is poured out on all people, sons and daughters alike, to prophesy and proclaim the good news.

Key Points:

Mary Magdalene was a woman of means who financially supported Jesus's ministry, not a prostitute as often portrayed

She remained faithful at the cross when others fled and was the first to encounter the risen Christ

Jesus commissioned her with "Go and tell"—not a suggestion but a divine mandate to proclaim the resurrection

Women consistently "got" Jesus throughout the Gospels, often demonstrating deeper understanding than male disciples

Historical mischaracterization of Mary Magdalene served to diminish women's leadership in the early church

Georgia Harkness championed women's ordination in Methodism, leading to full clergy rights in 1956

The first fully ordained United Methodist woman was Rev. Maude Keister Jensen; the first female bishop was Marjorie Matthews in 1980

As of 2020, 29% of full-time United Methodist elders are women, with increasing numbers in provisional membership

Women comprise 75-80% of the Order of Deacons, and 15 of 60 United Methodist bishops worldwide are women

The Holy Spirit is poured out on all people—sons and daughters alike will prophesy

Scripture References:

John 20:1-18 (Mary Magdalene at the tomb - primary text)

Galatians 3:28 (No male nor female in Christ)

Ephesians 5:22 (Wives submit to husbands)

Luke 8 (Jesus heals Mary Magdalene of seven demons)

John 10:27 (My sheep listen to my voice)

Matthew 16:16 (Peter's confession)

John 4 (Samaritan woman at the well)

Luke 7 (Sinful woman anoints Jesus)

Acts 2:17 (Sons and daughters will prophesy)

Psalm 19:14 (Opening prayer)

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Discussion Questions

How does Mary Magdalene's recognition of Jesus through his voice speaking her name illuminate the personal nature of our relationship with Christ?
What does Jesus's choice to first reveal his resurrection to Mary Magdalene, a woman whose testimony would not have been accepted in court, teach us about God's values versus cultural values?

In what ways have women's voices and contributions been marginalized or misrepresented in church history, and how can we work to correct these narratives today?

How does the contrast between the disciples leaving the tomb confused, while Mary stayed and wept, reflect different responses to grief and uncertainty in faith?
What significance do you find in Jesus telling Mary not to hold onto him but instead to go and tell others about the resurrection?
How does Georgia Harkness's witty response to Karl Barth about women preachers challenge us to reconsider how we interpret and apply scripture in contemporary contexts?

What does Acts 2:17 about God pouring out the Spirit on sons and daughters alike reveal about God's intention for inclusive ministry?
How might the image of Mary Magdalene holding a red egg as a symbol of bold evangelism inspire our own witness in skeptical or hostile environments?
In what ways does the poem 'The Magdalene's Blessing' reframe grief and loss as thresholds to new callings rather than endings?
How does the historical struggle for women's ordination in the Methodist tradition reflect broader tensions between divine calling and human institutional resistance?

5-Day Devotional: Witnesses to the Resurrection

Day 1: Called by Name

Reading: John 20:11-18
Devotional: Mary Magdalene stood weeping at the empty tomb, her grief blinding her to the miracle unfolding before her eyes. She saw the risen Christ but didn't recognize Him until He spoke her name: "Mary." In that moment, everything changed. Jesus knows your name, too. In your deepest grief, confusion, or sense of abandonment, He calls to you personally. Like Mary, you may be looking for Jesus in the wrong places—in the past, in what was lost, in the familiar. But He stands before you now, calling your name, inviting you into resurrection life. Listen for His voice today. He knows you intimately and calls you beloved.
Reflection: When have you felt Jesus calling your name in a personal way? How did you respond?

Day 2: Go and Tell

Reading: Matthew 28:1-10
Devotional: "Go and tell" wasn't a suggestion to Mary Magdalene—it was a commission. The risen Christ entrusted the most important message in human history to a woman whose testimony wouldn't have been accepted in a court of law. God's economy operates differently from the world's. He chooses the unlikely, empowers the overlooked, and sends the marginalized as His messengers. You may feel unqualified to share your faith, convinced your voice doesn't matter. But if Jesus has transformed your life, you have a story to tell. The resurrection isn't just a historical fact—it's personal testimony. Who has the Lord called you to tell today? Your witness matters more than you know.
Reflection: What keeps you from sharing your faith? How can you overcome those barriers this week?

Day 3: Women Who Got It

Reading: John 4:1-42
Devotional: The Samaritan woman at the well immediately recognized what Jesus was offering. When He revealed Himself as Messiah, she didn't argue or demand proof—she ran to tell her entire town. Throughout the Gospels, women consistently demonstrated remarkable spiritual insight. They stayed at the cross when others fled. They came to the tomb when others hid. They believed and proclaimed when others doubted. Faith isn't about intellectual credentials or social standing; it's about recognizing truth when it stands before you. Like these women, you may see clearly what others miss. Trust your spiritual discernment. The Holy Spirit speaks to all who listen, regardless of gender, education, or status. Your insights matter.
Reflection: When has your understanding of faith surprised others? How can you trust your spiritual discernment more fully?

Day 4: Divine Initiative

Reading: Acts 2:14-21
Devotional: Peter proclaimed on Pentecost that God would pour out His Spirit on all people—sons and daughters, young and old. The Spirit doesn't discriminate. Ministry begins with divine initiative, not human qualification. Mary Magdalene didn't volunteer to be the first witness; Jesus chose her. Georgia Harkness didn't fight her way into theological education; God opened doors. When God calls, He also equips. You may feel inadequate for what God is asking of you, but remember: it's not about your sufficiency; it's about His Spirit working through you. The same power that raised Christ from the dead is available to you today. What impossible thing is God inviting you into? Step forward in faith.
Reflection: Where do you sense God's Spirit leading you? What first step can you take in obedience?

Day 5: The Blessing of the Journey

Reading: Galatians 3:26-29
Devotional: In Christ, all human divisions dissolve—no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female. We are one. The resurrection inaugurated a new creation where God's image is fully restored in all people. Your identity isn't defined by cultural limitations or historical prejudices, but by Christ's love and calling. Like Mary Magdalene standing at the threshold of the empty tomb, you face a choice: remain in the familiar grief of what was, or step into the impossible promise of what God is doing now. This journey will require tears, courage, and letting go. But it leads to an abundant life. Let the blessing gather around you. Remember how it sounded when the Living One called your name.
Reflection: What old identity or limitation do you need to release to fully embrace your calling in Christ?
Closing Prayer: Lord Jesus, You call us by name and commission us to go and tell. Give us the courage to proclaim Your resurrection with our lives. Pour out Your Spirit upon us without discrimination, that we might be faithful witnesses to Your transforming love. Amen.
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Small Group Guide: "Go and Tell" - The Ministry of Mary Magdalene

Opening Prayer
Begin by inviting God's presence into your discussion. Consider using the opening from the sermon: "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O God, my rock and my redeemer. Amen."

Icebreaker (10 minutes)
Share a brief story about a woman who has influenced your faith journey—a grandmother, mother, teacher, pastor, or friend. What made her impact memorable?

Key Scripture Passages
John 20:1-18 - Mary Magdalene encounters the risen Christ
John 10:27 - "My sheep listen to my voice"
Galatians 3:28 - "In Christ there is no...male nor female"
Acts 2:17 - God's Spirit poured out on sons and daughters

Key Takeaways
Divine Recognition: Mary Magdalene recognized Jesus when He called her by name, demonstrating the intimate relationship between shepherd and sheep.
First Commission: Jesus entrusted the first proclamation of His resurrection to a woman whose testimony wouldn't have been accepted in court—a radical act of inclusion.
Historical Distortion: Mary Magdalene's reputation was unfairly damaged by conflation with other biblical figures, reflecting ongoing struggles to diminish women's voices in ministry.
Continuing Legacy: From Mary Magdalene to Georgia Harkness to today, women have been essential proclaimers of the Gospel.

Discussion Questions

Understanding the Text (15 minutes)
The Garden Encounter: Why do you think Mary initially mistook Jesus for the gardener? What does this tell us about grief, expectation, and recognition?
"Do not hold on to me": What do you make of Jesus' instruction to Mary not to cling to Him? How does this relate to His commission for her to "go and tell"?
Women at the Cross and Tomb: The sermon notes that women remained at the crucifixion when others fled, and were first at the tomb. What does their faithfulness reveal about discipleship?

Historical and Cultural Context (15 minutes)
Credibility Crisis: In first-century culture, women's testimony wasn't accepted in court. Why would Jesus choose women as the first witnesses to His resurrection? What does this say about God's values versus cultural values?

Historical Misrepresentation: Discuss how Mary Magdalene was wrongly portrayed as a prostitute for centuries. How do such distortions still affect how we view women in ministry today?

Georgia Harkness's Response: When asked about women preachers, Harkness quoted Galatians 3:28 in response to Karl Barth's Ephesians 5:22. How do we reconcile seemingly contradictory scriptural passages? How do we "listen with ancient ears" as Pastor Greg suggests?

Personal Reflection (15 minutes)
Hearing Your Name: Mary recognized Jesus when He called her name. When have you experienced God calling you personally? How did you respond?

Go and Tell: Mary was commissioned to proclaim what she had witnessed. What has God revealed to you that you've been called to share? What holds you back?

The Magdalene's Blessing: The closing poem speaks of "standing in the place of death and hearing the living call your name." What "deaths" have you experienced where God called you to new life?

Application and Action (15 minutes)

Women's Voices: How does your faith community encourage and empower women's voices in ministry? What concrete steps could be taken to better honor women's calling?

Overcoming Labels: Mary Magdalene overcame false labels and historical distortion. Who in your community faces unfair characterization or diminished voice? How can you advocate for them?

Apostle to the Apostles: Mary brought the good news to those who would become the church's foundation. How can you be an "apostle" to your own circles—bringing good news to those who need to hear it?

Practical Applications

Choose one or more of these activities to complete before your next meeting:

Individual Practices
Daily Prayer: Use "The Magdalene's Blessing" poem as a daily meditation this week. Journal about what phrases resonate with you.
Scripture Study: Read through all the Gospel accounts of the resurrection (Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20). Note the role of women in each account.
Name Recognition: Spend time in prayer asking God to call your name. Listen for how God identifies you—not by your roles or accomplishments, but as His beloved.

Group or Partner Activities
Research Project: Learn about a woman in church history who influenced theology or ministry. Share her story with the group next time.
Advocacy: Identify a woman in ministry (locally or globally) and find a practical way to support her work.
Conversation: Have a conversation with someone of a different generation about their experience of women in church leadership. What has changed? What still needs to change?

Community Engagement
Prayer for the Vulnerable: The sermon mentions young women on Sierra Highway who may be trafficking victims. Organize a prayer walk or research organizations fighting human trafficking in your area.
Storytelling: Create space in your church for women to share their call stories—whether to formal ministry or to other forms of service.

Closing Reflection
Read together "The Magdalene's Blessing" by Jan Richardson (included in the sermon).
Discuss: Which line speaks most powerfully to you right now? Why?

Closing Prayer
Invite each person to pray for the person on their right, asking God to:
Help them recognize Jesus calling their name
Give them courage to "go and tell" what they've witnessed
Empower them to use their voice for the Gospel

Close with the Lord's Prayer together.

Additional Resources

Books:
The Meaning of Mary Magdalene by Cynthia Bourgeault
Women in Scripture by Carol Meyers
Works by Georgia Harkness (available through used bookstores)

For Further Study:
Research the history of women's ordination in your denomination
Study the role of women in the early church (Romans 16 is particularly rich)
Explore iconography and what the symbols teach about Mary Magdalene

Action:
Support organizations fighting human trafficking
Mentor young women exploring calls to ministry
Advocate for equal representation in church leadership

"All you need to remember is how it sounded when you stood in the place of death and heard the living call your name."