Bible study for On the Way (song)

(This study is the work of a Christian song-writer, not a Biblical scholar.

--C. Morgenstern)

In recent years, Mary Magdalene has been the subject of much
speculation, especially in books and movies. But, you know what?
She has been the subject of speculation for centuries, long before we
even had printed books or, certainly, movies.

Now, as a song-writer, I’m going do a bit of speculating about her as
well--but hopefully, in a transparent, Scriptural and positive way.

It’s safe to say Mary Magdalene cared about Jesus. Scripture tells us
a number of things:

Luke 8:1-3 tells us that Jesus had cast demons out of her,
and that she, along with some other women, traveled with Jesus
and the disciples, helping to support the group through their own
resources.

We know that she was present at the Crucifixion. Matthew
27:55 (or Mark 15:40-41) names her among some women
watching from a distance, and tell us again that she had
traveled with Jesus to help care for him.

The Crucifixion, told by John, puts Mary Magdalene close to the
cross, and in the next sentence, describes how Jesus, even
while suffering, commended his mother Mary to disciple John
for her care. (John 19:25-27)

Mary Magdalene was still present as Joseph of Arimathea
provided his own new tomb for the body of Jesus, and saw to it
that Jesus was placed there. A big stone was rolled over its
entrance. (Mt. 27:57-61 or Mark 15:42-47)

On the morning that we celebrate as Easter, Mary Magdalene
and other women went to the tomb to put spices onto Jesus’
body, for a more proper entombment than He had received on
Friday (when everyone had to finish quickly before the
beginning of the Sabbath). The women wondered “Who will roll
away the stone?” (Mark 16:1-3) Of course, they find it already
rolled away!

Much of this background is included in the song. It is poetic license
that Mary spoke to the moon on her way, although it is quite true
that the moon would have been nearly full! Since the remembrance
of the Passover (Exodus 12) was tied to a full moon (Lev. 23:5),
we know that on Easter morning, the moon would have been just
past full. And, the book of John says Mary went to the tomb while it
was still dark. (John 20:1)

It is also poetic license to suggest that the nearly round moon
reminded her of the stone in front of the tomb, but we do know that
she was concerned about that seemingly immovable rock! Oh,
what a powerful symbol that rock remains: of separation from her
beloved Christ, of vicious judgment, and the finality of death!

There is also, I think, a weight of misunderstanding. Mary, cured of
demons herself and witness to many miracles, was totally certain that
Jesus had the power to not be crucified. That He would allow it to
happen had to be a wrenching, unanswerable weight for her at the
time.

This is the moment of the song.