1. Easter and the Persecuted Church: Mary Magdalene
John 20:11 tells us that after Jesus’ death, “Mary stood outside the tomb weeping.” Imagine the utter heartbreak she must have felt. Jesus had healed Mary of her demons and utterly transformed her life. Then she witnessed His painful sacrifice on the cross.
But everything changed in an instant when the resurrected King revealed Himself to Mary. “Go and tell My brothers,” Jesus instructed. Surely her once-sorrowful heart leapt with excitement and joy as she declared to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!”
Mary’s story brings to mind our friend, Eun-Young: a North Korean defector. Like Mary, Eun-Young often felt like an outcast in her community. And when she fled to China, sex traffickers forced her into a situation that would cause her tremendous shame and suffering.
During her journey to freedom in South Korea, Eun-Young discovered the hope of Christ. She, too, found healing and purpose in following Jesus—and joyfully sharing His message with others.
Both of these women demonstrate how difficult life experiences can prepare our hearts to fully receive the power of God’s redemption. In looking at the lessons of our biblical predecessors and our persecuted family, we learn this: by clinging to faith through trials, we can emerge as joyful witnesses.
We invite you to pray this short prayer now and then watch Eun-Young’s powerful story below as you contemplate the parallels of Easter and the persecuted church.
Prayer of Reflection:
Lord, during this Lenten season, prepare our hearts to celebrate Your resurrection. We thank You for the women of the Bible and those in the persecuted church who teach us how to weather sorrowful moments. Bless our hard-pressed sisters around the world who suffer because of their faith, and fill them with the unmatched joy of Your presence—that they might share it with others. Amen.