Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. —John 19:25
Although the life of Jesus’ mother didn’t unfold the way she thought it would, it far exceeded her expectations. Why? Because Mary knew Jesus was her Savior and she chose to follow Him, even when others rejected Him or turned away. She was one of the few who followed Him all the way to the cross. When others fled for their lives, she remained loyal, regardless of the personal danger or risk.
Many so-called disciples today will follow Jesus as long as it doesn’t cost them too much, as long as their family and friends are followers, or as long as they are getting their needs met and following Him is rewarding and exhilarating. They’re willing to obey the Word when God’s ways seem to work. But few are willing to follow Him when the apparent outcome isn’t as they had hoped, when they have to live with those who resist Him, or when there is no end in sight to the sacrifice and suffering they must endure.
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Portrait of a Woman Used by God: Lessons from the Life of Mary of Nazareth
©2016 Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
Scripture taken from The CSB
Make it Personal
Will you follow Christ even when the outcome of your circumstances is not as you had hoped?