IMITATE THEIR FAITH/MARY MAGDALENE - "By the Torture Stake of Jesus"

 Mary  Magdalene was one of the many women who accompanied Jesus to Jerusalemf for the Passover of 33 C.E. (Matthew 27:55, 56) When she heard Jesus had been arrested and tried during the night, she was surely horrified.  And the news got worse. Governor  Pontius Pilate, caving in to pressure from the Jewish religious leaders and the crowd under their influence, had sentenced Jesus to a cruel death on a stake. Mary may well have see her Master; already bloodied and exhausted, struggling through the streets, hauling the long pole for his execution. - JOHN 19:6, 12, 15,-17.

At the scene of the execution, after darkness had fallenat about midday, Mary Magdalene and the other women were standing  "by the torture stake   of Jesus."  (John 19:25.) Mary, who was there to the end, saw and heard Jesus' agonized cry to his Father.  And she heard his triumphant   last words,  "It has been accomplished," uttered just before he died. She was in anguish.  Nonetheless, after Jesus died, she was evidently still there.  Later she remained by the new tomb where a rich man named Joseph or Arimathea placed Jesus' body. - JOHN 19:30; MATTHEW 27:45, 46, 57-61. 

Mary's example reminds us of whawt we can do when our fellow believers face hard trials.  We may be unable to  prevent tragedy or take away the pain of the victims. Yet, we can show compassion and courage.  The very presence  of a supportive friend can make a big difference in hard times.  Standng by a friend in need shows great faith and can bring tremendous comfort. - PROVERBS 17:17. 

Next time: IMITATE THEIR FAITH/MARY MAGDALENE - "I WIll Take Him Away" 

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