Tag Archives: watching

Faithful Women

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FAITHFUL WOMEN

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 15: 40-41)

This was no place for a woman. They would have flashbacks of the horror of what they saw for months to come. It was only the most hardened and calloused of men who could look at so gruesome a scene and feel nothing.

But the faithful women were there, standing at a distance. No matter how terrible it was, they wanted to be near Him to show their love and gratitude and to support Him to the end. The soldiers ignored them because they could do no harm, standing there. At least He would know that they had not forsaken Him in His darkest hour.

Who were these women who loved Him so much that they were willing to put aside their own feelings to be near Him? Mary Magdalene needs no introduction. The subject of much speculation about a romantic connection with Jesus, she was a prominent female figure in the gospels. Strange that the writers were silent about any romance between her and Jesus when they were honest about the faults and failings of others. Did they cover it up because it was distasteful for them even to speculate about something like that?

I don’t think so. The love of Jesus for all people, including the outcasts of society and the women was more than human love. His love was “agape” love. What is “agape” love?

“The Greek word agape is often translated “love” in the New Testament. How is “agape love” different from other love? The essence of agape love is self-sacrifice. Unlike our English word “love,” agape is not used in the Bible to refer to romantic or sexual love. Nor does it refer to close friendship or brotherly love, for which the Greek word philia is used. Nor does agape mean “charity,” a term which the King James translators carried over from the Latin. Agape love is unique and is distinguished by its nature and character.”

(http://www.gotquestions.org/agape-love.html, retrieved September 2015)

Why were women so drawn to Jesus? Jesus treated all people with dignity and respect regardless of gender, social standing, religious persuasion, race, culture or physical condition. These women were comfortable with Him because He accepted them without criticism or judgment. They loved Him because He loved them openly, honestly and without any kind of suggestive attitude or behaviour. He treated them like human beings, not possessions to be exploited for His own ends.

Mary Magdalene was always in the forefront because “she who had been forgiven much, loved much”, in the words of the Master. Jesus had driven seven devils from her. How did they get there in the first place? Who knows but Mary might have been left fatherless and without support as a child or a young woman. She might have had no option but to turn to prostitution to survive or even to support her mother and siblings. However she got into it, there was no getting out of it. She was as effectively a prisoner as if she were in jail. Her owners saw to that.

But it was not only her livelihood that kept her enslaved. It was everything that went with it. Her choices had to fit her lifestyle, and the devil made sure she would never escape. Demons found entry wherever sin had become entrenched in her, until Jesus came and sent them packing. She relished her freedom and loved her liberator so much that she followed Him everywhere and could not do enough for Him.

There is no indication in the gospels of the other women’s debt of gratitude to Him. No doubt among the many unnamed ones who stood and watched from a distance, there were those who were equally indebted to Him for His mercy to them. Like the woman who washed His feet with her tears, they felt the glow of His forgiveness in their hearts and were heart-broken over His fate.

They were not ashamed to be associated with Him. After all, He had not been ashamed to extend love and forgiveness to them, and to welcome their company and support during His travels throughout Galilee. Some even supported the large group of thirteen from their own finances. O yes, there was an attachment to Jesus so strong that not even the spectacle of His broken body, His marred face and the blood that dripped from His open wounds, could keep them away.

They saw past His physical disfigurement to His compassionate heart, evident even in the last moments of His life, and stayed there to be with Him. Little did Mary know, in those final hours of agonising grief, that she would be the first one to see Him in His resurrection glory, and carry the message to His heart-broken and devastated disciples.

Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Lowly Leaders!

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LOWLY LEADERS!

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings, who will also share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under you care, watching over them – not because you must, but because you are willing as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. (1 Peter 5: 1-3)

What a lofty standard for God’s appointed leaders! Yet how paradoxical! Leaders must take the lowest position – that of servants, like shepherds caring for a flock of sheep.

What’s the basis of such a standard? Jesus! Peter watched him die. It was a flashback he would never forget. A blooded figure hanging from a Roman torture stake so disfigured that He was hardly recognisable as a man. Like hamburger meat skewered on a pole; that’s how one translation pictures Him.

. . . His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and His form beyond human likeness. . . (Isa. 52: 13)

That’s what they did to Him and not once did He protest or resist.

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth. (Isa. 53: 7)

So where does the idea come from that church leaders must be a cut above everyone else? Swanky limousines, richly embroidered robes or designer suits, unlisted telephone numbers, even bodyguards, no less; titles they love to wear to boost their egos and give them authority! Is that how shepherds care for their sheep? Jesus said, ‘Don’t do it! You are to care for your sheep, not boss them around.’

Another flashback – a scene on the shore of Lake Galilee. Twelve men sitting around a coal fire eating breakfast. One is missing – committed suicide. One hangs back, uncertain and ashamed. ‘Am I still accepted as part of this bunch?’ Breakfast over, Jesus talks to Peter while the others listen in. They may not have verbally denied Him at His trial but they were equally guilty of desertion. What will He say to Peter? Whatever He said would apply to them also.

Imagine their shock! ‘Simon, son of John . . .’ Not Peter, the rock, but Simon, one who hears, or listens. ‘Simon, are you listening?’ Yes, Lord, I’m listening. ‘Simon, do you love me?’ What! After all I’ve done to you, Jesus, is that all you have to say? Do I love you? Wait a minute! There’s a world of significance in that simple question.

Love is the basis of loyalty, trust, faithfulness, submission, obedience, commitment, perseverance, service, yes and even martyrdom – and Peter, your turn is coming.

Peter, do you really love me? If you do, feed my sheep and take care of my lambs. I am not giving you a position. I am giving you a commission. FEED my sheep; TAKE CARE of my lambs. That means that you have to shed you fancy clothes and your even fancier image of yourself and get down and dirty for my sake. They are my sheep and my lambs, not yours to bully and exploit for your own ends.

The standard is the same for every leader who follows after Peter – not little popes to rule over God’s people, but under-shepherds of Jesus to serve Him by caring for His sheep. This is not for opportunistic rogues who grab the position to enrich themselves at the expense of their underlings or to elevate themselves above others for image or status. This is a calling of God to be like Jesus to helpless people who depend on them for protection, provision and instruction so that they do not wander away and get lost.

Oh that every leader who claims to be God’s shepherd would heed Peter’s words! What a sad day it will be for those who forget that they are accountable to God for every word and deed. How many of those who have enjoyed all the benefits of their treachery will hear the words of Jesus:

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matt. 7:21-23)

Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.