WHO WALKS IN, WHEN EVERYONE ELSE WALKS OUT?

“The women at the cross,” they’re a varied group, identified in our text as “…Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James the younger and of Joses and Salmone.” (Mark 15:40)

But Mark goes on to note “…many other women who had come up with [Jesus] to Jerusalem were also there.” (Mark 15:40-41) identified, at least in part, in other gospels as: the mother of the sons of Zebedee (Matthew 27:56) – a sister of Jesus’ mother Mary (John19:25) -- and Mary of Clopas (John 19:25)

“The Committed”

Live Lives of Generosity, Going ‘The Second Mile.”

For as they traveled with Jesus “…these women were helping to support [Jesus and His disciples] out of their own means…” (Luke 8:3). That last phrase is striking: “…out of their own means…” (Luke 8:3) -- translated: these women dipped into their own personal resources to support Jesus and His disciples

“I wonder what folks will say at my funeral -- will folks come up to my kids and talk about how I “went the second mile” for them; will they talk about my sacrifice on their behalf?

Develop A Tender Heart, Marked By Deep Empathy And Compassion.

Reaching out to Mary, Jesus speaks tenderly: “Dear woman, here is your son.” And then turning to John -- the only disciple at the Cross -- Jesus reflects: “Here is your mother… [And] from that time on, [John] took [Mary] into his home.” (John 19:26-27).

“Don’t urge me to leave you… Where you go, I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die…May the Lord deal with me…severely, if anything but death separates you and me…” (Ruth 1:16-17).

Lift Up, Ultimately, The Love And Loyalty Of Jesus.

“Truly, I say to you today, you will be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:43) “It is finished.” (John 19:29-30) “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” (Luke 23:46).

“In this world you will have trouble, but take heart: I have overcome the world. (John 16:33); “Trust in God, trust also in me. In my Father’s House there are many rooms…I am going to prepare a place for you…” (John 14:1-2). “And [so] surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20).

“…because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail, they are new every morning, great is thy faithfulness (Lamentations: 3:22-23). And so “…do not tremble, do not be afraid… [for] there is a God beside [you]…there is… [a] Rock…” [beneath you] (Isaiah 44:8).

“…because of the Lord’s great love -- [you] are not consumed, for his compassions never fail, they are new every morning -- great is thy faithfulness (Lamentations: 3:22-23).

And so “…do not tremble, do not be afraid…[for] there is a God beside [you]…there is…[a] Rock…[beneath you]” (Isaiah 44:8)