Magdalena Movement

By Lonnie Moore

Follow your Easter Resurrection celebration with a powerful new tool that provides a wonderful way to give back to your community, particularly to women and women's ministries. Oklahoma City has been chosen by The JESUS Film Project® to participate in the U.S. launch of the Magdalena Movement, with the film Magdalena: Through Her Eyes. This film looks at the life of Jesus from Mary Magdalene's perspective and relates what she might have experienced as she walked with Him in His public ministry. Mary Magdalene narrates the film, showing how He changed her life and we watch Him as He interacts with other women. Oklahoma Woman talked to Jenny Steinbach, Magdalena Strategy Coordinator.

"No matter what people have experienced in their past, we wanted a fresh perspective on God's love with a good depiction of Jesus for women, to communicate to the hearts of women," said Jenny.

"One of the things we feel really touches the heart is how Jesus reaches out to people in the midst of their struggles; these women haven't gotten their lives straightened out before coming to Him; He reaches out to them in time of their difficulties and sins, whatever that may be. We're hoping that as women watch the film they will have a visual picture of God's love and forgiveness and see how to begin a relationship with Christ. We hope that in Oklahoma City women will get a picture of women reaching out to other women, of being like Christ in that. Women have responded wonderfully and really resonate emotionally with the film", she added.

Mary Magdalene was a frequent companion of Jesus; she and other women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases followed him and the in the area around Judea. She and other devoted women in his following supported his ministry, giving of their own possessions. Luke 8:1-3.

Mary Magdalene was present at the foot of the cross with Jesus' mother Mary and the apostle John. Mary was mentioned first among women at the crucifixion. Matthew 27:56, Mark 15:40, John 19:25, was present at Jesus' burial at the tomb, and witnessed the stone being rolled to seal its entrance. Matthew 27:61

Mary Magdalene was first to appear at the tomb the next morning, to witness the stone had rolled away. Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:1, Luke 24:10, John 20:1. At the tomb, she is the first one mentioned in all four gospels, and the only one mentioned in the gospel of John. Mary Magdalene was the first to witness the risen Christ, in fact, the first to preach the resurrection, to the apostles themselves. Mark 16:9, Luke 24:10, John 20:10-18

"The film premiered at the United Nations in March, 2007, having been produced originally for women in countries where women are oppressed and who knew nothing about Christianity.

For information about how your church or community organization can get involved with the Magdalena Movement, visit www.MagdalenaToday.com, call (405) 604-0728 or (800) 432-1997, or email ajdelk@yahoo.com.