Jesus Was the Son of God!
When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
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 Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons. (Matthew 27:54-56)
(Isaiah 3:10)
Yet those clothed in the righteousness of Christ need never fear. Our faith (choice) rules over our fear (emotion), God being our sure defense at all times. When God judges, the righteous need not fear. I am reminded of these words from the Old Testament:
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. (Psalm 46:1-3)
We also see in our verses for today a company of women who have been following Jesus. Some would have called them silly women to boldly stick by the Master’s side when the rest of His disciples had deserted Him and fled. Yet, out of great love, they have followed Him and stayed by Him. They had cared for Jesus out of their own means throughout His ministry and now we see them staying near Him to the bitter end. Their love overcame their fear.
The cross was a painful way, but the only way, for us to have our relationship with God reinstated. His love overcomes all.
“The only ground on which God can forgive our sin and reinstate us to His favor is through the Cross of Christ. There is no other way!
Take It to Heart
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.” (John 15:18-21)
“Be not afraid of saying too much in the praises of God; all the danger is of saying too little.” (Matthew Henry)