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GODLY WOMEN
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Some
women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene,
Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph, and Salome. In
Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many
other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.
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Caring, but cautious. That may be a
reasonable way to describe these women, but they were much more than
caring; they had devoted themselves to the Master, helping in the
domestic tasks that often defeat itinerant preachers. At the end
of the day, when the disciples had disappeared, the women remained at
Calvary at the end of the afternoon. Matthew reports that many
women were there (Matthew 27:55). Sad figures
undoubtedly, but they were no threat to the Romans or religious
authorities; in those days, women had no opinion and no voice. A
nuisance possibly, but threat, no... especially now that their Master
was dead.
But what a catalogue of divine ministry
they represented. Not only the acts of service they had done for
Jesus, but the miracles He had done in their lives. Mary
Magdalene (from Magdala, on the western shore of Galilee) had been
released from demonic oppression (Luke 8:2). Salome was the
wife of Zebedee and mother of James and John. These women served
because of what God had done for them, and because they believed in
Jesus. They were women of faith unlike the disciples, and Mark,
who had all run away (Mark 14:50-52).
Mark knew their significant part in the historical
narrative. Later the church in Jerusalem met in the house of his
mother, also called Mary (Acts 12:12). He is not just a
historical writer but had personally observed 'Team Jesus' at
work. He understood the dedicated commitment of the women.
He would have known their personal distress at the crucifixion, their
grief-stricken love which drove them to prepare embalming spices (Mark 16:1), and their fear on the
resurrection day (Mark 16:8) . And
yet it was to women that the angel first announced that Jesus was
alive: they were the appointed messengers of hope to the
disciples (Mark 16:4-7). Mary Magdalene
was the first person Jesus chose to meet after His resurrection.
Although the culture of the time despised women, Jesus healed
them (Matthew 9:20-22), compassionately wept
with them (John 11:32-35), and honoured them (Mark 14:8-9). Whatever their
background, Jesus treated each woman as an individual and rewarded
their faith, and still does.
Godly women have a special place in
Scripture (Proverbs 31:10-31). They are marked
by a willingness to serve when the Master needs them (Luke 1:46-55) . They do not
seek prominence, but are glad for Jesus to be centre-stage. They
do not draw people to themselves, but point them to the Saviour.
Servant heartedness pleased the Lord then, and still does today.
Many men could learn a lesson from them, not least those women's sons
who all fled; except for Mary's Son whose body was hanging limply from
the cross. He did not quit; He saw His job through to the bitter
end (John 19:30), and the women stood by
Him. It is a great mistake to despise those who are servant
hearted and honour Jesus: because Jesus eternally honours them (Matthew 10:32-33).
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Dear Lord. Thank You for the example of godly women who trusted,
loved and served You. Please forgive me when I run away from the
challenges of being Your servant. Help me to honour those who trust You
and to be so certain of Your love that I will stay with You in the time
of crisis - because Jesus stayed on the cross for me. In His Name.
Amen.
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