The women who ministered to Jesus as He hung on a cross embodied the commitment to faithfulness. Their witness of devotion is a testimony of the importance of ministry in uncomfortable environments. All of Jesus’ disciples except John were hiding as Jesus endured the suffering of the cross.
Mark 15:40 Some women were there, watching from a distance, including Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James the younger and of Joseph), and Salome. 41 They had been followers of Jesus and had cared for him while he was in Galilee. Many other women who had come with him to Jerusalem were also there. [1] Women were considered second-class citizens in this society, yet they were first-class citizens in faithfulness.
Faithfulness Inspires Others
The women of this society may have been second-class citizens, but their courage and faithfulness when Jesus needed them have inspired people throughout the ages. These faithful women would play a role in the early church that would pave the way for other women to do the same.
When things become difficult, our first inclination is to run away, but with God’s strength, we can move forward. Paul writes how the fruit of the Spirit includes faithfulness. Galatians 5:22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! [2]
Faithfulness Grows out of our Relationship with Jesus
I desire to be faithful to the Lord as I grow in faith. Hebrews 11:1Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. [3] It is one thing to believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior and another to be faithful to Him. When we are faithful to the Lord, this shapes our daily lives as we submit to His will and plan for our life. Faithfulness does not mean we are perfect and don’t make mistakes. It does not mean we won’t have struggles to follow Jesus or we don’t make poor decisions at times.
Faithfulness does mean that we place our faith and trust in the Lord and try to follow His ways when life is not easy. Ask the Lord for forgiveness and strength to overcome any lack of devotion. Our Lord is a loving God who helps us be faithful to Him as we come to Him in prayer, asking for His strength and guidance to follow Him no matter our situation.
To hear more about the commitment to faithfulness, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/mark-the-one-jesus-didnt-save
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.