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Many women were there, watching from a distance. Matthew 27:55

A group of women stood and witnessed the gruesome scene at Golgotha, just outside Jerusalem.

They watched Jesus refuse the narcotic-laden drink given to prisoners to deaden pain before crucifixion.

They saw the soldiers hammer nails into Jesus’ hands and then struggle to lift the wooden cross with his body on it.

They noticed the men divide up his clothes between them, gambling over his best garment.

They read the accusation against him—The King of the Jews—written out and placed above his head.

They reflected on the worst criminals crucified alongside their Lord; the man who had healed them and given them new life. He had taught about God’s Kingdom of peace and forgiveness and a time of God’s favor. He displayed power and authority in his actions: controlling nature, healing people from diseases, and performing exorcisms.

They listened as the leaders and teachers of the religious law, and other townsfolk who passed by, mocked and made fun of Jesus, shouted insults and taunted him.

They noticed Jesus bend his head and say something to his mother Mary, and to his disciple John, who stood beneath the cross.

They pulled their shawls around their shoulders as the sky became dark, for many hours. And they held onto each other when the ground violently shook.

Then Jesus shouted out: “My God, my God, why have you deserted me?” and they watched the commotion – someone scurried away and grabbed a sponge, filled it with a liquid, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink.

But it was over.

It is finished.

Jesus breathed His last and died. Matthew 27:32-50

For many days and weeks, alongside Jesus’ twelve disciples, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, Joanna, Salome and others whose names we don’t know, had accompanied Jesus around Galilee, taking care of His needs and supporting him financially out of their own means. Luke 8:1-3

They had been with the crowds, who had gladly followed Jesus in Galilee and Jerusalem, to be fed, listen to his words of wisdom and see their family and friends healed.

Now, Jesus’ flourishing leadership appeared a failure. The crowd had forsaken him, turned against him, even.

But these women remained quietly faithful.

Faithfulness means not turning your back but staying committed even when things don’t go as planned.

The women waited to show Jesus their loyalty, even in death—to prepare his body for burial as customary in the Jewish religion.

Faithfulness is greatly rewarded. Jesus said those who are faithful with small things will be given responsibility over great things.

Jesus chose these women first, over everyone else, to reveal he was alive and had defeated death. He gave them the task of telling others the wonderful news—He is risen. Luke 24:1-12

Even if you are struggling to understand events in your life, or you feel God is distant or he has let you down, know that loyalty to Jesus Christ is rewarded with greater privilege and responsibility.

We share with these women, standing at the cross, in their faithfulness; and, with them, and because of our faithfulness we will be filled with joy.

Linked up with Susan Mead at #DanceWithJesus and Dawn Klinge at #GraceandTruth, Kelly Balarie at #RaRaLinkup, Holley Gerth at #CoffeeForYourHeart and Crystal Storms at #IntentionalTuesday

  • The wonder of the Lord’s faithfulness to me in every detail of life is truly miraculous. He has given me all I need and my heart is all He wants to occupy and transform my inner being. May I seek Him above all else and find the joy, peace and even happiness as I trust Him and continue to follow Him each day.

  • Great post, Rachel. I thank God for His amazing faithfulness each day. What an example of what faithfulness means…that He gave His Son…put Him through those horrible things…just for you and me.
    Thanks for linking up with Grace and Truth.

  • “Even if you are struggling to understand events in your life, or you feel God is distant or he has let you down, know that loyalty to Jesus Christ is rewarded with greater privilege and responsibility.”
    This is what touched me the most! Loyalty to Jesus! What does that look like for me? Drawing near to His word in life’s uncertain circumstance. Drawing near to Him in prayer when I feel alone or that special someone never seems their going to get it. Thanks for sharing. visiting from Holley’s link up #49

  • Thank you for insights I never thought about in this familiar, beautiful story. The faithfulness to serve and love Jesus even when they didn’t understand and were in the midst of shock and grief gives hope and something to aspire to. Joining you from Purposeful Faith and Intentional Tuesday.

  • What a wonderful post, Rachel. I rest in the finished work of Christ on the cross…His unconditional love surrounds me…the Niagra Falls of the Holy Spirit flows through me wasting away all my disappointment when things don’t go as planned…praise His Holy Name Above All Names! Many blessings to you ❤️

  • Rachel, I needed this reminder of true faithfulness today. I am learning that things will not go as planned more often than not as Christ promises tribulations. I want to practice that same faithfulness as the women at the cross so that I can accomplish all that God has planned for my life to glorify Him. I hope you had a wonderful Easter and have blessed week!

  • God has always had a heart for women. He sees their tears and is there to calm the fears like Jesus did the sea. I can’t imagine being there! The Holy Spirit is moving in the body of Christ, as faithful women let’s remain true and watch Him resurrect our hopes and dreams.

  • Renewing my commitment to remain faithful as these women did. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your beautiful example of sacrificial love. Thank you for this post and your blog, Rachel. Happy, Blessed Easter!

  • I’m seeing those faithful women with new eyes today. I had never before transferred the concept of their “showing up” for Jesus on that horrible day with my own tendency to throw in the towel when things don’t go as I expected. Thanks, Rachel.

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