You Need Jesus' Love

Matthew 27:55-56 And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him, were there looking on from afar, 56 among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
 
HOW mournful it was for these women to look upon their dying, suffering rabbi. He was their teacher and friend. They deeply loved him for the ways he had transformed their lives. Who were these women?
   Jesus had healed Mary Magdalene of seven demons. The second Mary is the mother of James and Joseph (Joses). James may be the disciple “James the Lesser”, so-called because we know less of him than of James, John’s brother. His brother Joseph was apparently well-known in the early church. There, too, is James’ and John’s mother. We know from Mark 15:40her name is Salome. In one way or another each woman had obeyed Jesus’ command, “Follow me”. (Matthew 4:19).
   John’s gospel also tells us that Mary, Jesus’ mother, was present. Consider the deep emotions of this highly favored (Luke 1:28) women who watched her son suffer the horrid execution. Do you think the chosen virgin remembered the angel’s words, “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the highest; and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. And he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:32-33). As she watched her son, God’s Son, die, did her mind echo with the question she asked the angel, “How can this be?” (Luke 1:34)?
   These women and others had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him. (Luke 24:10) They had walked with their Master to feed him, to nurture his tired body, to bring physical peace to the One restless to bring peace to his people’s souls.
   Now they are at the cross. In Jewish customs to have more than two women close to the execution would be scandalous. But these women stood above the norm to minister their love to the One who commands, “Love.”
   Faithful in their love for Jesus, they would be among the first to embrace the Living Savior of the World.
   Jesus knows you need love to faithfully be present with him.