Mary Magdalene A Story of Forgiveness Sunday Service Children s Story Materials: Picture of Aimee Semple McPherson Online video clip, Aimee Semple McPherson Preparations: Because online videos often take a few minutes to download, play the related video before the story begins to ensure that it will be ready when needed. Prepare any necessary materials. Invite children up to steps of altar. Reader of story sits in a chair with children sitting on floor in front of her. Include children s story, even if there are no children in your congregation, to welcome families who may come to the service. You can add your own creativity to the stories. You may feel comfortable using props or presenting them just as they are written. Feel free to adjust the content to fit your time frame. However, for the spiritual development of the child, we encourage keeping as much of the Ascended Master s Teachings as possible. Time: 9 minutes depending on storyteller delivery and children s responses. Good morning and welcome to our children s story. Today we re celebrating the Feast Day of Saint Mary Magdalene. In the Bible, it is written, when Mary Magdalene met Jesus and heard him preach, she recognized him as the Christ and she gave up her old ways. She began to live a life of love for Jesus Christ and God. 1 You might remember Mary as the first person Jesus appeared to after his resurrection on Easter. Mary Magdalene is the twin flame of Jesus and today she is the ascended lady master Magda. Today s story takes place during the time of Jesus right before he goes back to Jerusalem for Passover. Jesus is in Bethany, a town a few miles from Jerusalem. Mary Magdalene Wipes Jesus Feet Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where he had raised Lazarus from the dead. It was at this time a Pharisee, Simon, hosted a dinner and 1
invited Jesus and Lazarus as the guests of honor. Jesus had once healed Simon of leprosy. The house was full of guests, including Mary and Martha and many of Jesus disciples. When suppertime came, Martha served, as usual. Mary was thinking of Jesus and how much he had done for her. She believed that Jesus saved her and helped her find God in her life. Mary longed to tell Jesus how grateful she was and how much she loved Him. She had an idea, but dare she act on it? She had thought about it a long time and thought, well, maybe now was the time. After all, Jesus wouldn t be here much longer if the rulers in Jerusalem had their way with him. Slowly Mary walked toward Jesus, unnoticed by the guests, who were busily eating and chatting with one another. From beneath a covering, she brought forth a lovely alabaster jar containing a pound of spikenard, a very expensive ointment. Mary slowly poured some of the oil on the head and feet of her beloved Master and anointed his feet. She then did something very surprising Mary lovingly wiped Jesus feet with her hair. The house was filled with the odor of the ointment. Then saith one of his disciples, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? Jesus said, Why trouble ye the woman? For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always. In pouring this ointment on my body she has done it to prepare me for burial. Then Jesus made a remarkable prophecy. Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her. And so it has happened through all the nineteen hundred years that have passed since then. Mary s loving deed will never be forgotten. But Simon was still troubled. He knew Mary well. He had known her before she turned to the Lord and had sinned against God. He couldn t understand why Jesus would let a woman with such a past behave like this. 2
Simon thought to himself, If this man was a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner. Jesus knew what Simon was thinking. Simon, Jesus said, I have something to say to you. What is it? asked Simon. Then Jesus told him a story about a man who was owed money by two people. One owed five hundred pence, the other fifty. Seeing they had nothing with which to pay, the man forgave them both. Tell me, said Jesus, which will love him most? Who do you think would love most, the one who owed the most or least? (Allow children to answer.) This is how Simon answered. The one who was forgiven most, said Simon. Right! said Jesus. Then pointing to Mary, He said, Do you see this woman? I entered your house, you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little. Then, speaking to Mary, He said, Your sins are forgiven...your faith has saved you; go in peace. Simon was shocked. Simon believed that because Mary had once sinned she must always be considered a sinner. Jesus said that it wasn t so - Mary had been forgiven. She was and is as dear to God as all His children. Mary is a child of God, now and forever. We also have the opportunity to be forgiven our sins when we ask God for forgiveness. God loves each of us very much! (Story adapted in part from Arthur Maxwell s, The Bible Story, Vol. 9.) CONCLUSION: Have you ever asked God or a friend or family member for forgiveness? (Allow children to answer.) It feels good to be forgiven, doesn t it? We also have to 3
remember to forgive ourselves. The act of Mary Magdalene anointing Jesus feet illustrates the gratitude people feel when they are forgiven. In this story, we see the genuine spiritual love that existed between Mary Magdalene and Jesus Christ. Have you felt grateful to someone when they have forgiven you? (Allow children to answer.) That s how Mary felt toward Jesus. Later, in her last embodiment as Aimee Semple McPherson, she lived a life of devotion to Jesus. Here is a photo of her. (Show picture.) Aimee Semple McPherson was Jesus instrument on earth for healing and the conversion of many people. Here is a short video clip about Aimee Semple McPherson and how she established her church. You will hear the power of her voice and deep love for Jesus. (Play video clip.) 1 Did you hear her say, Let the world know that you re on the Lord s side.? Could you feel her love for Jesus? After that embodiment, Aimee ascended and is now the ascended lady master Magda. If we call to Magda, she will assist us to embody faith, courage and perseverance and her power to speak the Word of the Lord. Thank you for participating in our children s story. Have a wonderful day. 1 Excerpted from A Look Back: Aimee Semple McPherson, Foursquare Founders Ministries, 1991. 4
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