April 6th, 2025 - “The Women”
WITNESSES TO CHRIST – The Women
Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, the younger and of Joses, 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. ( Mark 15:40-41 )
The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. ( Luke 23:55-56 )
Early the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.( John: 20:1, 14-16 )
... [Mary Magdalene] turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize it was Jesus. “Woman,” he said, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you hav put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary”. She turned to him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher)
I think we sometimes forget how important women were in Jesus’ life, teaching and healing. Of course, we remember his mother, Mary, and then there were the Samaritan woman at the well, to whom Jesus said he was the Messiah, the woman caught in adultery, Mary and Martha, and Mary Magdalene, from whom he had driven out seven demons. Women such as these followed Jesus and saw to the needs of the Messiah and his disciples. Except for Martha, their questions were not recorded, but they were faithfully in the background. Until, that is, we read of the Crucifixion. Did you notice that, except for John, none of his disciples were present at his last moments? But, the women did not turn away. Peter had denied knowing him; Mary Magdalene did not.
And, it was Mary Magdalene who first recognized the risen Lord. Her eyes were not opened until he called her name, but it was she who could then run to tell the disciples in hiding that Jesus had risen, just as he had said he would.
Kristi McLelland reports that migdal is a Hebrew word meaning “tower”. Magdala is an Aramaic word meaning “tower”. So, Mary was “the Tower” while Peter was “the Rock”. She saw things Peter didn’t see. She experienced things Peter didn’t experience. The same eyes that refused to look away at the crucifixion were given the honor of being the first eyes to see the resurrected Jesus.
I think of so many women of faith that I have known. They were not necessarily the speakers who presided over meetings, conferences or services; they were the unheralded workers who showed up wherever they were needed, and made sure that everyone knew s/he was seen and loved. I pray that I can be like them, not turning away when the going gets rough, but staying nearby to minister in whatever way I can. May our eyes stay open to see Jesus in this world.
PRAYER: Dear God, our Father, Healer, Protector, Comforter, and Guide, pleases bless those who work in the background to bring your love and healing comfort to this broken and weary world. Be patient with us when we falter and try to turn away. Remind us that You have given us a spirit of boldness and that You are with us every step of the way. In Thy Name, we pray. Amen.
—Doris Click