October 26, 2025

We all know the sting of a label, a word or reputation that reduces who we are to something smaller than the truth. Jesus came to peel away those false names and restore our true identity as beloved children of God. The story of Mary Magdalene invites us to see how Jesus looks beyond reputation to redemption. He doesn’t define us by our past; He redefines us by His love.

READ

Luke 8:1–2

Jesus went on through one town and village after another, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out.

REFLECT

1. When have you felt labeled or misunderstood? How did that experience shape the way you see yourself or others?
2. Mary Magdalene was known for her past, yet Jesus made her a leader and witness. How does that change the way you see others who carry “baggage”?
3. How has Jesus helped you begin to see beyond a label, in yourself or in someone else?

RESPOND

1. Identify one “label” that may still cling to your heart. Take time to invite Jesus into your heart and give the label to Him in exchange for His love.
2. Ask God to show you someone who has been defined by their past or by others’ opinions. How can you affirm their worth and remind them of their God-given identity?
3. Reimagine church as a place where people experience restoration instead of rejection. What can this look like in your community and relationships?

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