Text: Mtt. 27:50-56.
“And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split, and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people. 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 Joseph,[b] and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.”
Theme: “Love At Its Best!”
African feminist theologians are generally of the opinion that a disservice is done when the masculine qualities of God are highlighted over his feminine qualities. There is no doubt that God is a king, a mighty man in battle, the lion of Judah, etc. But he is also kind, gentle, and loving. He is like a hen, longing to gather her chick’s under her wings – even when they are not willing(Mt.23:37).
The early church up to the present is still not giving women the prominence they deserve – especially in Africa, which is made up of predominantly patrilineal societies.
Jesus died for love. Love at its best! At the time of his death, only women disciples were there watching all that happened to him. These women “had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs.”
Yesterday, we learned that women were travelling with him, helping to support them out of their own means. Today, we learn that they were eyewitnesses to his exact time of death because they had followed him to care for his needs.
Let us give a big shout out to the women! Women O yeah!!!
May we as believers show some love to those who labour in the vineyard of the Lord! Above all, may we give the women a deserving place because of the background role they have been playing since the time of Jesus. They deserve a front line!
Weekend prayer: Holy Spirit help us to show sacrificial love the way Jesus did. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
25/07/2025.