There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome…Then Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock
Mark 15:40–47
In this sad story on Good Friday, I was struck by the love, courage, generosity, and faithfulness of Mary Magdalene, Mary, Salome, and Joseph of Arimathea—even in the midst of their grief, they lived for him. Only real love for Jesus would have given them the courage to be seen as his followers at a very dangerous time, and Joseph even dared ask Pilate for his body. He generously bought a linen shroud and gave Jesus the tomb he had planned for his own burial. The women faithfully served Jesus while he was alive, and Joseph lived faithfully and expectantly, on the lookout for the Kingdom of God.
Who knows how many people noticed and were inspired by the acts of these people—then and over the next 2000+ years? They might be surprised to know their acts were written in the Bible as examples for us all! We each do what we might think are small things—writing notes or making calls of encouragement, providing meals for another family, making donations to charities, making the bread run, serving on committees, attending Bible studies, singing in the choir, serving on altar guild, fixing things around the church buildings, or teaching a class. Who knows how many people notice and are inspired by each of us?
Even in the midst of hard times, if only I could live for Jesus with the love, courage, generosity, and faithfulness they had! If only we all could live expectantly each day, on the lookout for the Kingdom of God!
Marjie Mack
