Called to Support

February 14, 2021 Background Scripture: Mark 15:40; 16:1 – 9; Luke 8:1 – 3; John 20:10 – 18 Lesson Passage: Luke 8:1 – 3; Mark 15:40; John 20:10 – 18 If the gospel narrative were a drama, the women identified in today’s lesson should all receive the title of Best Supporting Actresses. And, according to Luke, the women identified by name are not the entire cast of supporters. Luke wrote that there were many others who provided for Jesus from their substance. Mark informs us that the women had followed Jesus during his Galilean ministry and followed him to Jerusalem from there. They even watched from afar as Jesus hung dying on the cross. Then they noted where his body was placed after he was removed from the cross. After observing the Sabbath after Jesus’ death, they returned to the site of his burial to properly prepare his body for burial—post-burial! They could have said “Oh well. We would have done something if they had let us before he was buried.” However, they loved Jesus to the point they desired for his dead body to be treated with proper respect; and they were willing to go inside the tomb to do it. They even wondered who would roll the stone back from the tomb to give them access. Many could have been satisfied in knowing they did what they could to support Jesus’ ministry while he was alive. Once death had separated them, they would accept that Jesus was no longer with them. It was time to move on with their lives. However, this group of women were there as he was crucified on the cross. They returned to the grave early in the morning when the Sabbath was past. Jesus had healed and delivered them. He healed them of their diseases and delivered them from demonic spirits. Their gratitude was clearly expressed by their actions towards Jesus while he was alive. Jesus healed many people during his ministry. He also cast demonic spirits out of several people. Rarely does scripture reveal to us what became of those individuals after Jesus’ healing. We do know that the man out of whom Jesus cast a legion of demons attempted to follow Jesus, but Jesus sent him back to share with his friends the good things the Lord had done for him. We are also informed that there were many who touched the hem of his garment and were made whole. We don’t know what became of most. What about the paralytic man who was brought to Jesus by his four friends? He left Jesus’ presence walking, but where did he go? But this group of women stood out from the crowd of those who were healed and delivered. They followed Jesus and it appears that it was for the sole purpose of meeting his needs with their substance. We know about the house in Bethany where Jesus could stay and eat with his friend, Lazarus. But that was not the lifestyle Jesus led. Jesus was mobile so he could go where people needed him. Jesus made it clear; he did not come to be served, but to give his life as a ransom for many. Despite that, this group of women followed him all over Galilee and then to Jerusalem. They literally followed Jesus all the way to the grave. This is a level of commitment that comes from deep within a person. You don’t do this for personal recognition or self-aggrandizement. This is a costly endeavor of both one’s time and resources. Many people would willingly sacrifice one or the other, but not many would sacrifice both. We know the names of some of them, and yet there were others whose names we were not informed of. Was this a calling upon their lives? I don’t know. But I have no doubt that this was a personal conviction that motivated them day in and day out. Today we can give thanks to God for the women who ministered to our Lord out of their substance. Perhaps they were called of God to provide material support to Jesus. Robert C. Hudson January 25, 2021