There are so many things to look at as we dive into the Easter story. I love how throughout the scripture that the women in Jesus’ life stayed close to him until the end. Why were they still there? When all the disciples had fled, why did they still stand strong? They were there when he was arrested, beaten beyond belief, nailed to the cross; they prepared the body, and finally mourned at the tomb. I suggest to you, the Lord had profoundly touched each woman. Mary of James and Joses, which little is known about except she was very wealthy, ministered to Jesus and the disciples physical needs. She believed in Him so much, she took her wealth and followed him. Mary son of Zebedee, who was the mother of James and John, left when her sons did to follow Christ. Only one verse is mentioned about her in Mathew 19:28 when she tried to find positions for her sons, one on the right and one on the left of Jesus. However, her husband also had a lucrative business, which afforded her money to also care for Jesus. Mary Magdalene was changed when Jesus called her name. Jesus cast seven demons out of her, and restored her life. Mary Magdalene had been overlooked, shamed, and rejected but the Lord took notice and with one call of her name, saved her life. Of course, then there was Mary, the mother of Jesus. She watched her son brutally treated for crimes he did not commit. She watched him in agony on the cross as he took his last breath. Why would she torture herself this way? We were talking at work about the Passion movie, and how it was hard to watch the full scene of Jesus beating; yet these ladies were there in person. Working in the medical field I have always found it interesting it is usually the mom that stays at the death bed of a child, when the man cannot stand to bare it. It is the mom who wants to soak in every last second of their child’s life, and sit with them, and hold them even after they are gone. Mary even though it was difficult, would not forsake her son, her Lord, for one minute.
I challenge you with this statement “Christianity is not for the faint of heart”. These women stayed at the cross because as gruesome as it was; He was their Lord. They stayed because of his touch on their lives. Many people knew Jesus, they had seen the miracles, and had even followed him, but there is vast difference between having knowledge of God, and a personal Savior. I ask you today, “Would you have been at the cross? Would you have risked it all just to be by his side? Would you have been able to care for his battered body, that was beaten beyond recognition?” We will never know what we would have done in that situation, however, Mathew 25:40 says, “whenever you saw a brother or sister hungry or cold, whatever you did to the least of these, so you did to Me. So I ask you when is the last time you helped someone pay a bill because they could not afford it. When is the last time you helped an alcoholic get help because they needed it? When is the last time you saw a homeless person and offered them shelter, or clothing? When is the last time you were heart broken over a loved one’s lifestyle? When was the last time you were on your knees before the Lord crying out for mercy? Have we overall become immune to those around us, and sacrifice that was made? Do we dare take the blood of the cross for granted?
Once again for these ladies the story does not end here. When they went to the tomb, they were greeted by wonderful news
Mathew 28:5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he[a] lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
The ladies that had remained faithful even to the last drop of blood was spilled, were now the one’s who received the good news. If this was not enough in verse nine it says, "and Jesus met them.” For all the things they had been through, the ridicule, the emotions, the tears, the devastation, perhaps doubt after his death; Jesus appears to remove it all. Wherever you are, what ever you are doing, whatever you have done, Christ wants to meet with you. If you are not a believer will you meet with him today?
These ladies were so changed by their encounter with the Lord; they were willing to go to the very end. Has your encounter with the Lord profoundly changed you, and if yes, are you living like it? This Easter let us renew our passion for the one who stood in our place.
He is not here for he is Risen!!!!!
The following is a link to “Silently” A song about Mary
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGMwhft0yfo
I challenge you with this statement “Christianity is not for the faint of heart”. These women stayed at the cross because as gruesome as it was; He was their Lord. They stayed because of his touch on their lives. Many people knew Jesus, they had seen the miracles, and had even followed him, but there is vast difference between having knowledge of God, and a personal Savior. I ask you today, “Would you have been at the cross? Would you have risked it all just to be by his side? Would you have been able to care for his battered body, that was beaten beyond recognition?” We will never know what we would have done in that situation, however, Mathew 25:40 says, “whenever you saw a brother or sister hungry or cold, whatever you did to the least of these, so you did to Me. So I ask you when is the last time you helped someone pay a bill because they could not afford it. When is the last time you helped an alcoholic get help because they needed it? When is the last time you saw a homeless person and offered them shelter, or clothing? When is the last time you were heart broken over a loved one’s lifestyle? When was the last time you were on your knees before the Lord crying out for mercy? Have we overall become immune to those around us, and sacrifice that was made? Do we dare take the blood of the cross for granted?
Once again for these ladies the story does not end here. When they went to the tomb, they were greeted by wonderful news
Mathew 28:5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he[a] lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
The ladies that had remained faithful even to the last drop of blood was spilled, were now the one’s who received the good news. If this was not enough in verse nine it says, "and Jesus met them.” For all the things they had been through, the ridicule, the emotions, the tears, the devastation, perhaps doubt after his death; Jesus appears to remove it all. Wherever you are, what ever you are doing, whatever you have done, Christ wants to meet with you. If you are not a believer will you meet with him today?
These ladies were so changed by their encounter with the Lord; they were willing to go to the very end. Has your encounter with the Lord profoundly changed you, and if yes, are you living like it? This Easter let us renew our passion for the one who stood in our place.
He is not here for he is Risen!!!!!
The following is a link to “Silently” A song about Mary
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGMwhft0yfo
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