Luke 23:47-56 Watching the Olympics: Neeraj Chopra wins Gold in Javelin throwing with over 87.58 meters (287+ft) for first Gold ever for India in athletics and first Indian medalist in over 120 years! Someone the world never knew would come in first. Not a household name but he is now in the record books! Although being in the Olympic record books is exciting and thrilling, it does not compare with the story we are about to read:
The responses around the cross are sickening with their abuse, mocking, blasphemy, and a blatant disregard for justice. The only bright spot is the thief on the cross. But after Jesus dies we see 4 other responses:
The centurion
The people beating their breasts
The council member
The women from Galilee: and here are some of their names: “and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.” Luke 8:2-3 NIV
The key issue here is the fact that the women are present from the beginning, at the crucifixion, the burial, at the resurrection, at the outpouring of the Spirit on Pentecost, and ministering in the early church!
They fulfill the requirements of Luke 1: “Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” Luke 1:1-4 NIV
They are the only ones who have been eyewitnesses to all events and become ministers, or servants of the Word! We read their accounts here! It is consistent with God’s purposes to choose the “foolish” things of the world to confound the wise: He goes to a defeated people, to a borrowed manger attended by angels and of all things shepherds, escapes to Egypt and returns to Nazareth from whence no good thing comes, picks uneducated followers, walks to hills of Judaea and Samaria, feeds the hungry, heals the sick, delivers the oppressed, but does nothing that we would claim to make him special. He is condemned as a rebellious blasphemer and is executed though innocent, laid in a borrowed grave and changes the whole world over Centuries! Most of all, the ones who were eyewitnesses to this account are those who were considered non persons, just owned by men and abused by the rich and famous. These are the ones upon whom we rely for our faithful reading of the word! They were catapulted from nobodies to those who are highly esteemed by God!
They looked for rewards, not on this world, they endured much suffering, and still they are respected from on high! But they get
What really counts?
Who gets into the best record book? Those who are full of faith and faithful. Those who believe and trust in Jesus! It is the ordinary, the unimportant and those who are loved by Jesus. It includes you and all who become witnesses to the resurrection by knowing the forgiveness of sin.
Finally, the women rested on the Sabbath. After the finished work on the cross, we all need to rest from our labors. Faith is critical to receiving the forgiveness and grace.