What do we know about Mary Magdalene? People have long speculated about her. Popular literature and art works have attempted to create a narrative that solves much of the mystery of her essence and background. Still, that speculation is often based more on human imagination than on the known evidence of Scripture and history of the time period. In SRK’s book Raamatun naisia Eevasta Priscaan (Women of the Bible from Eve to Priscilla), Ed. Marja-Liisa Sivula and Raili Ojalehto (SRK, 2011), the mysterious Mary Magdalene is presented in a way that clarifies her probable background without adding interpretation. In the following excerpt from Raamatun naisia Eevasta Priscaan, Maria Nieminen gathers what is known of the time period and location to write the story of this follower of Jesus, and she notes that Mary Magdalene was first to see the risen Savior.

And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. – Luke 24:36–49

God placed us to live in His creation. The beauty of God’s creation work surrounds us every day. Around us in our lives there’s always something to marvel at and admire. Nature’s beauty, complexity and its never-ending changes from season to season remind us that our Creator is almighty.