Matthew 27:55-56

Posted by DJL on Apr 17, 2014 in Lenten Devotions | 0 comments

Many women were also there, looking on from a distance; they had followed Jesus from Galilee and had provided for him. Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

Matthew is quite tactful. He writes only that, “Many women were also there.”

“There,” of course, is the site of Jesus’ crucifixion. “There” is within earshot of Jesus’ cries of desperation and agony mingled with the taunts of passersby. “There” is right in the middle of the rock-splitting earthquake and darkness. And “there” is among the executioners who just put Jesus to death and now wondered if he might be the Son of God.

Many women were there, among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, as well as the unnamed mother of the sons of Zebedee. These faithful women had followed Jesus; listened to him teach; given over, in at least two cases, their sons to Jesus’ mission; and more. And now they were “there,” at the crucifixion, with Jesus to the end.

And it wasn’t just these three. They are only three representatives that Matthew identifies of a larger company of “many” women. Jesus is surrounded in his last moments by these many faithful women.

But no men. They had fled. One betrayed, another denied, and all deserted.

On this day of death and despair, Jesus is not alone. He is surrounded by these many faithful women. On this day when Jesus believes himself to be abandoned even by God, he is not alone, as he is surrounded by these many faithful women. These women stayed by Jesus to the end and, as we’ll see, become the first witnesses to the resurrection. They are, beyond any doubt, Jesus’ most faithful disciples, and that deserves our attention.

Prayer: Dear God, thank for these faithful women who did not shy away from the horror of the crucifixion and were the first to bear witness to the resurrection, and thank you for all the many faithful women who have proclaimed the good news ever since. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

Post image: Emil Nolde, “Crucifixion” 1912.