This post is Day 12 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 12

These women must have been a real blessing to Jesus who never seemed to have time for very essential earthly things such as doing laundry, cleaning and cooking. But their proximity to Jesus must have been a life changing experience for them as they heard and listened to His teachings.

Mark 15:40-41

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.

The Thought

The last sentence in this verse sounds like one which could cause an uproar among some modern groups of women today! These women had followed Him and cared for His needs.

That’s what women did in those days and have continued to do for many centuries since; they cared for the household needs of husbands and children, and anyone else in their neighbourhoods who might need caring for. They went to market, cooked meals, washed and mended clothes, and generally saw to household tasks! Very different to today when in many parts of the western world a woman who does not earn her keep and contribute to family expenses is often either looked down on or considered to be very rich!

Many non-wage earning women are voluntary workers for charitable associations, giving their time to be useful in their locality.

The women in our verses today must have been a real blessing to Jesus who never seemed to have time for very essential earthly things such as doing laundry, cleaning and cooking. But their proximity to Jesus must have been a life changing experience for them as they heard His conversations, and listened to His teachings.

Action

Read Mark 15 today and imagine yourself standing on the sidelines and watching those events unfold before you. Feel the deepening sadness as it looked like there would not be a miracle, and then the pain as you watched Jesus nailed to the cross, still believing that His greatest miracle would be jumping down from there.

Feel the frustration of those women who had served Him constantly as they knew there was nothing they could do.

Ask Jesus what you can do for Him today.

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