He appeared first to Mary Magdalene...

"He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven
devils."-Mark 16:9

Mary of Magdala was the victim of a fearful evil. She was possessed by
not one devil only, but seven. These dreadful inmates caused much pain
and pollution to the poor frame in which they had found a lodging. Hers
was a hopeless, horrible case. She could not help herself, neither
could any human succour avail. But Jesus passed that way, and unsought, and
probably even resisted by the poor demoniac, He uttered the word of
power, and Mary of Magdala became a trophy of the healing power of Jesus.
All the seven demons left her, left her never to return, forcibly
ejected by the Lord of all. What a blessed deliverance! What a happy change!
From delirium to delight, from despair to peace, from hell to heaven!
Straightway she became a constant follower of Jesus, catching His every
word, following His devious steps, sharing His toilsome life; and
withal she became His generous helper, first among that band of healed and
grateful women who ministered unto Him of their substance. When !
Jesus was lifted up in crucifixion, Mary remained the sharer of His
shame: we find her first beholding from afar, and then drawing near to
the foot of the cross. She could not die on the cross with Jesus, but she
stood as near it as she could, and when His blessed body was taken
down, she watched to see how and where it was laid. She was the faithful
and watchful believer, last at the sepulchre where Jesus slept, first at
the grave whence He arose. Her holy fidelity made her a favoured
beholder of her beloved Rabboni, who deigned to call her by her name, and to
make her His messenger of good news to the trembling disciples and
Peter. Thus grace found her a maniac and made her a minister, cast out
devils and gave her to behold angels, delivered her from Satan, and united
her for ever to the Lord Jesus. May I also be such a miracle of grace!