Currently, I am attending Bible College. The class I
recently finished, took an in depth look at every single book written within the
New Testament. I had the opportunity to study the spread of first century
Christianity, the men considered closest to Christ, and most importantly the
man, the ministry, and the Messiah himself. Week after week, we peeled away the
layers of Scripture and the deeper significance behind the words. The Bible
came alive and as I studied the Synoptics (Gospels) in greater detail, a
particular set of Scriptures stood out. When Jesus hung upon the cross, the
Gospel of Mark tells us in Mark 15:40-41 “Some
women were there, watching from a distance, including Mary Magdalene, Mary (the
mother of James the younger and of Joseph), and Salome. They had been followers
of Jesus and had cared for him while he was in Galilee. Then they and many
other women had come with him to Jerusalem.”
Before we go any further,
I need for you all to understand one key aspect here. Women and especially
children, were not even considered “second class citizens” but were among the
lowest levels of society within the early Jewish culture. Women were not even
permitted to speak publicly in church meetings. (1 Corinthians 14:34-35)
Looking back at the scene of the crucifixion in Mark
15:47 we are told that “Mary Magdalene
and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where Jesus’ body was laid.” Chapter 16
verses 1-2 opens with the following “The
next evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene and Salome and Mary the
mother of James went out and purchased burial spices to put on Jesus’ body.
Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they came to the tomb.”
These women could do very little leading up to the crucifixion. They could not
speak before the Jewish high council in Jesus’ defense, nor could they appeal
to Pilate or the Roman guards who beat and mocked him. Yet, even when the
disciples had fled for their own lives, these women remained at the feet of
Jesus. They followed his body and prepared spices to take to the burial tomb.
The preparation of such spices resembled a sign of love, respect, and devotion.
Take note here, it is absolutely NO coincidence that these very women were the
FIRST to encounter the angel at the opened tomb, and witnessed the miraculous
wonders of the resurrected Christ. God blessed their diligence and devotion, as
these women used the opportunities they did
have, instead of dwelling on those
they did not.
Do not for one second believe the lies of the enemy
that you are “just a woman” for as I briefly touched on above, women featured
prominently in the accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection and at the
Pentecost. Again, this is truly NO mistake. A woman’s testimony during this
time period was considered to be worthless, yet God used these very ladies to
inform the disciples of what had just occurred. Could you imagine the level of
pure joy that must have ensued when they looked upon the presence of Christ
early that Sunday morning? Their faithfulness was profound, and God surely
rewarded them for it.
My prayer for each of you today is that you are able
to better recognize the significance and importance you have not only as a woman,
but a woman of God. We are so blessed to reside in a country where we can share
our faith. Take FULL advantage of that! I pray that He grants you the ultimate
wisdom to act upon the opportunities you do have to remain steadfast and
devoted to being a witness for Him. The women accounted for here could have
lost their very lives for exhibiting their faithfulness. What do you have to lose?
~Stef
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