Luke 8:1-3 After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.
Mark 15:40-41 Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph, 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 16:1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body...5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ ”
Matthew 28:8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
I think about those women who stood by Jesus at the cross, when most of the men had fled. They stood, watching their friend (and for Mary, her son), dying a gory, bloody, violent death. They stood in the midst of enemy soldiers. They stood in the midst of a sometimes hostile crowd. They stood together.
I think there's something very important about this "together" part. Would they have stood at the foot of the cross alone? I don't know... but I do know that it would have been much more difficult.
But they didn't have to be alone, for one simple reason. They were used to traveling together. That didn't change on the day of the crucifixion of Jesus. I imagine one of the women saying "I don't know if I can stand looking at his suffering any longer!" and another woman saying "We do it together. We do it for Jesus. Keep looking at the face of Jesus, He gives strength."
For the past few years I have been traveling together with a group of women. We, like the women at the foot of the cross, have enabled each other to continue on in the midst of joy and struggle. When we wanted to give up, the others in the group wouldn't allow it. We have kept each other looking at Jesus.
It's an interesting group, made possible only by modern technology. Week after week of videoconferencing with women half way around the world, I have watched the sun rise through a window in Spokane, and at the same time watched it get dark in Jerusalem.
There is something profound in the imagery. We are a group that is truly scattered around the globe, but out hearts have been knit together. All five us have finished our doctorates within a week of one another, all of us will be at the graduation ceremony in April, all of us love Jesus, and all are women in ministry leadership. One Palestinian, one African American, and three of us white girls. Now woven together, committed to being there for one another, even after our diplomas are hung on the walls. For my part, I don't think I would have finished my dissertation without the encouragement of these women.
We plan on continuing to meet weekly. We know that in the midst of life and ministry, we need to encourage one another, and give each other strength, and keep pointing one another to stand at the foot of the cross, and to look at the face of Jesus.
Thank you Janene, Jacqui, Madleine, and Brenda: for your encouragement, your challenge, the Bible verses you gave me at just the right moment, for your attentiveness to the Spirit, your deep friendship, your continuing to point me to Jesus. I love you all.
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