Don't forget the Women
Don't forget the Women
Words of Faith 4-24-24
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2024
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Mark 15
[40] Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. [41] 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.
Don't forget the women. When we hear the story of Jesus we must not forget the women. When all the disciples except John had scattered in fear, it was the women who remained in spite of the danger. It was probably the witness of the women that provided much of the account of the cross and the words of Jesus during the last hours. Who were they?
Mary Magdalene's name indicates she was from Magdala, a village on the Sea of Galilee's western shore. Jesus had released her from demon possession (Luke 8:2). The second Mary (the "other Mary" Matt. 27:61) is distinguished from the others by the names of her sons James the younger (literally "the small one," in stature or age) and Joses. Both apparently were well-known in the early church. Salome, whose name appears only in Mark (Mark 15:40; 16:1), was the mother of Zebedee's sons, the disciples James and John (Matt. 20:20; 27:56). She was probably the sister of Jesus' mother whom Mark did not mention (John 19:25).
These special women used to follow Jesus from place to place and cared for His material needs while He was in Galilee (Luke 8:1-3). Many other women who did not accompany Him regularly were also there at the cross. They had come to Jerusalem for the Passover festival with Jesus, perhaps hoping He would establish His messianic kingdom (Mark 10:35-40; 15:43). Mark probably mentioned the women as eyewitnesses of the Crucifixion in anticipation of their eyewitness role at Jesus' burial (15:47) and His resurrection (16:1-8).
So where would we be without the women of the church? Where would we be without the obedience of Mary to carry the baby Jesus to term? Where would we be without the women who followed, helped, served, and gave financially? Where would we be without the women near the cross to record in their memories for the Scripture writers the events of that day? Where would we be without the women who would go to the tomb?
Give thanks today for the women of God. Honor the women of God's family; don't set them aside or put them in a menial place. Lift them up.
Lord, I give thanks today for the women of the church. I give thanks for Mary of Magdala, the other Mary, Mary the mother of Jesus and Salome. I give thanks for the sisters in Christ who have faithfully and obediently served through the ages. I give thanks for the women of my church family who work so hard to serve, minister and educate. Thank You, Lord Jesus. Amen.
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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2024
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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