“The Women in Fearful Devotion”
Introduction: Hanging on a cross, suspended between earth and heaven the Son of Man suffers. All have left Him, except for a few women and one lone disciple. We approach the scene of the cross.
I) The Setting
A) Three significant women stand here. When all his disciples, except John, have forsaken Him, they continued their attendance on Him.
1. First, there was Jesus’ mother. Now was fulfilled Simeon's word – spoken to her when He was eight days old, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul.[1]
2. Her cousin and the mother of James are there. Some of His relations and friends are with her. They stood by the cross, as near as they could get. Why are they there? Are they there for Him, for His mother, for themselves?
3. Mary Magdalene out of whom Christ had cast seven demons is there. Jesus never gave up on her. How could she give up on Him?
B) Each had a reason for being there, they were not deterred by the fury of the enemy or the horror of the sight; they could not rescue Him nor relieve Him, yet they attended Him, to show their love for Him. His disciples had hid from Him, they could not, and they would not abandon Him.
1. Mary had given Him life – Jesus was her son, He was human. His torments were her tortures; she was upon the rack, while he was upon the cross; and her heart bled with his wounds; and the reproaches fell on those that attended him. Now He is bearing the sins of earth.
2. Jesus is still “family” all had abandoned Him, Mary’s cousin will not.
3. For Mary, this Jesus had not abandoned her when she hit rock bottom. How deep is your friendship, your love? Jesus is bearing the sin of men, who will watch and pray? His disciple could not? Will you on this most holy night?
II) Action
A) Much they did not understand. On the mount of Transfiguration, why were Moses and Elijah speaking to Him? “For He was teaching His disciples and telling them, "The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise three days later. But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.”[2] When He was but twelve years old, what was it He had said to them after they had searched for three days, “didn’t you know I must be about My Father’s business?”[3] Then there were His strange teachings concerning being a servant, sacrifice, supplication, submission.
B) They were wrapped in fear. His life was coming to an end. What was in store for them? They knew of only two realities; He whom they had followed was being crucified. Their hopes had ended. There were no tomorrows.
C) Yet, in this bleak and lonely hour they clung to what they knew-Christ. Even in His agony, suffering, cruel and vicious death they would not forsake Him. He was their only hope - even if it meant His death – they could not deny Him.
III) Counterparts for today
A) There are many who do not understand all they should. Could the death of a condemned criminal offer atonement? Could His life and sacrifice really save you? Could His vicious death give you life and peace?
B) They manifest much fear. With good reason – at the time all they knew was their present situation. So it is today - if we do not look beyond the cross all is lost! A pagan asked, in all seriousness, “They killed your leader, why do you call it “Good Friday?” We call it good because we look to Sunday! We are in fact, Easter people.
C) We only need to cling to Christ for this is all we have. If we cling to Christ we receive the gifts of God. No more separation from God. Now we are at peace with God. The wall of separation has been broken down. The commandments no longer condemn us.
Conclusion: All of creation watched as Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory, suffered in wretched agony on the cross for six hours. With His dying breath He mad the proclamation, "It is finished!" Do you really believe Jesus' last words? Do you believe that the price has been paid once and for all, or do you trust in something else? Do you believe Jesus' words, or are you hoping to merit Heaven through some rite or ritual or some work of your own making? Would you be willing to turn from these vanities and trust in His death as the final payment for you sin? It is finished! says Jesus. It is finished! The Scriptures have been fulfilled.
[1] Luke 2:35
[2] Mark 9:31-32
[3] Luke 3:
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