This post is Day 16 in a series of studies about “Mary’s of the Bible”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Mary’s of the Bible – Day 16

These women must have been extremely upset as they stood watching the terrible scenario unfolding before them, feeling useless. They were not near enough to hear the conversation Jesus had with the thief on the cross. If those women had heard that conversation, they would have been happy for Jesus.

Matthew 27:55-56

Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for His needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.

The Thought

These women must have been extremely upset as they stood watching the terrible scenario unfolding before them, feeling useless. They had been convinced that Jesus would perform some miracle and escape from the death sentence. Maybe they were not near enough to hear the conversation which Jesus had with the thief on the cross at His side. Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23:42-43).

If those women had heard that conversation, they would have been happy for Jesus that He was returning to Father God to be rewarded for His earthly life.

Let us note too the comment about the second Mary here: the mother of James and Joseph. In other places in the gospels this qualification is clearly a description of Mary the mother of Jesus.

Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us? (Mark 6:3).

Action

Ask yourself today if you have been taught things that you are now discovering are not strictly true. That may have happened in church, or in religious education or confirmation classes, or in preparation for baptism or first communion groups.

Choose to forgive the false teachers, but make a decision to read the Bible more for yourself and seek the truth. Remember that The truth will set you free (John 8:32).

Read John 8 today and pray for Jesus to reveal any untruths that you have believed.

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