“Some women were watching from a distance. . .
They had followed Him and supported Him . . .
Many other women who had come to Jerusalem with Him were there too.”
Mark 15:40-41
They were usually in the background, but they were there. Women, who had little status in their culture. . . little to no independence . . . and were often mere side-notes in history. But Jesus did not hold to that cultural opinion. He gave them value. He included them in His inner circle… in His Life.
Women . . . by nature, having instincts to provide care, to nurture, to love, were included in Jesus’ inner circle. In the male-dominated culture into which Jesus stepped while physically present on Earth, He modeled His value of women. In a world that often kept them in the background, Jesus acknowledged and included them. He accepted what they offered, and treated them with dignity.
Did they struggle with a sense of personal value? Personal dignity? Their culture certainly did not give them messages of their worth.
But Jesus saw them. Included them. Accepted what they offered. . . a poor widow’s gift, a woman “with a past,” women who had nothing to offer, except their gratitude, hope and loyalty.
It’s an old story . . . struggles with personal worth . . . doubts of our value . . . carrying shame. . . Jesus pushed back on those old cultural barriers. He accepted what they had to give. When their world de-valued them, He acknowledged their dignity. He welcomed them into His Presence . . . into His world. Their tendencies to remain at a distance from Him, He countered. He called them by name. Despite their stories and past, and the probable lack of a sense of personal dignity, He welcomed them into His world.
When Jesus faced His most horrific Moment. . . the cross . . . the women whose lives He had changed, were there. . . note-worthy in Scripture. Not busy “doing something” . . . simply there with Him. . . despite the risk they faced simply by association with Him. Scripture does not make note of whatever they had done in their past. . . it was the fact that they were there that was noteworthy.
Don’t stay “at a distance . . . watching. . . “ when it comes to Jesus. He knows you are “there” . . . even at a distance. He knows you are following Him . . . and lending your support in ways that you assume are not worth very much.
But His Words, “Follow Me” continue to echo throughout Time. He welcomes you to be with Him.
Check out Janet’s book: Not Forgotten on Amazon
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