From the archives is this one that I hope I had previously sent to the calendar publisher. It once again illustrates how all too often we make deficient connections, interpretations and applications from passages of Scripture.
Mr P’s verse and comment on 4th January 2010 appear to be poorly matched.
A department store near us recently held its “Grand Opening”.
Thronging crowds waited 10 to 12 hours to be first inside. Through
His substitutionary death on Calvary, Jesus opened wide the gates
of heaven, yet so many have no interest and stand afar off.
God loves us and is not willing that anyone should perish.
He offers salvation freely to anyone who will receive Jesus
Christ as their Saviour. Will you accept His offer today?
– J P
The comment “yet so many have no interest and stand afar off” comes across as being a reference to those in the verse he used: “And all His acquaintance, and the women that followed Him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.” Luke 23:49
But is that fair? Where would you expect them to be?
It’s true that of some it is recorded that they “stood by the cross” (Jn 19:25). Yet one of them named in John 19:25, Mary Magdalene, is mentioned by Matthew as being part of the group that were “beholding afar off” (Matt 27:55) and by Mark, “looking on afar off” (Mk 15:40). Did she move between the two locations? How many others might have done the same and also been up close at some time?
Is it significant that Matthew and Mark’s comments refer only to women, and Luke’s makes specific mention of women? Where would be the most decent and appropriate place for women to view from in such a scene? Hardly up too close! Definitely not right out in front. Why? Because, contrary to pretty much every scene painted or portrayed by people, the Lord Jesus was naked. Surely, by standing at a distance, those women showed their true devotion and reverential respect, while still allowing for a few of them to discretely visit at the foot of the cross if they chose; whether they be closely related or grateful followers.
The comment by Mr P is fair enough on its own – but not matched up with the Luke 23:49 verse. Surely a more fitting verse could have been used in conjunction with the comment written. Luke 23:49 is hardly a good choice and does certainly not necessarily imply “no interest”.
Some cross-references to consider:
Matthew 27:55-56
And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children.
Mark 15:40-41
There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; 41 (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.
John 19:25-26
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!