V940 DVD
Unveiling Mary Magdalene
Liz Curtis Higgs
(Reviewed by Stephanie Humphries, former CRC Board member)
Stunning is the only word that I can think of to describe this message. After watching this DVD from start to finish in one sitting, even as it concluded I found myself going back to the start and watching it through a second time. For a one hour DVD, at one o’clock in the morning, that is as high a recommendation as you will get.
In this message Liz Curtis Higgs manages to reveal the character and personality not only of Mary of Magdala, but of Christ Himself and his dealings with, yes it has to be said, women. Women, whose low standing in that culture, at that time, meant they were not even considered credible witnesses in a court of law.
In a society that did not value women, Liz asks, “Is it not incredible that God chose Mary of Bethlehem to bring the Christ Child into the world, and God chose Mary of Magdala to bring the good news of the Risen Saviour into the world?”
Apart from being an entertaining speaker, Liz is also an accomplished singer and in this message she uses the words of the Negro spiritual to emphasis Mary’s dedication and devotion to her Lord.
“Were you there when they crucified my Lord?” Mary Magdalene was.
“Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?” Mary Magdalene was.
“Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?” Mary Magdalene was.
When “many forsook Him and fled”
“Were you there when He rose up from the grave?” Mary Magdalene was - still there.
Along with some in Liz’s audience, I found myself with tears flowing as the beauty of the meeting of Mary with her Risen Master unfolded. And somehow, without detracting from the beauty of the scene, Liz manages to use her wicked sense of humour to bring further insight into the subtleties of the dialogue between The Lord and Mary.
Liz Curtis Higgs debunks myths, turns nursery rhymes on their head and speculates what the disciples ate for breakfast; using them all to good effect to illustrate what a splendid role model this Mary of Magdala is for us today.
Sorry, but I’d like to go now as I want to make some notes and watch this message one more time before I have to return the DVD, reluctantly, to the CRC Library
