When She showed up for a friend ...

Margaret Frye
Nov 16, 2022
3 min read

We all hope to have that one type of friend. You know the one we can call our “ride or die.” The one who will show up in the important moments for us – a wedding, a funeral, a business opening, a baby shower or the Caribbean vacation we always planned to go on. When we tell them it’s going down, their next questions will be Where at? What time? What do you want me to bring? Whether it’s a friend from college, a coworker, a cousin or another family member, or a childhood friend, knowing who we can count on to be there for us makes our joy-filled moments that much brighter and our challenging places more bearable.

Looking up to see a familiar face in the midst of pain brings comfort and in the challenging roles we often experience as leadHERs, knowing who we can rely on in a time of crisis can make all the difference.

“And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedees children” (Matthew 27:55-56, KJV).

The view from the cross must have been indescribably lonely as our Savior poured out His life and love for humanity. Although the Scripture does not record that he scanned the crowd for the disciples who had been with Him for three years of ministry, it does share that a group of women were there.

Some women were named. Others were included in the description of the many women, standing at a distance watching the Christ’s powerful passion on display. These were the type of women who you would want to be with you. Unrelenting in their devotion, committed in their loyalty, and faithful in their love for the Savior. As leadHERs, we not only need to have friends like these women by our side, but their story challenges us to be this type of woman in our relationships with others but especially in relationship to the Lord.

Can you be counted on when the road gets rough, strewn with potholes and the potentially dangerous hazards of leadership? What these women demonstrated is what it takes to be leadHERs who follow Jesus. The road He takes to promotion, to promise, and to the purpose of God may be filled with challenges and difficult choices. But can you stick with Him? Can you lead well by following Him closely even when the path leads to places of pain, challenge, or even death?

“And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed. And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre” (Matthew 27:59-61, KJV).

Refusing to leave His side, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were among those who remained with Jesus until His broken body was laid in Joseph’s tomb. Their loyalty was not mere lip service, but their actions displayed a faithfulness that reminds us of the cost to follow the Savior. It’s easy to align with, identify with Jesus when the crowds are thronging, the miracles keep happening, and the bread keeps multiplying. But true followers, true disciples are the ones whose love leads them beyond the bright lights into the dimness of difficult days. When the reality of what it means to follow Jesus becomes apparent, will we stand and lead as these women did – faithful, constant, and true?

REMAIN faithful – to the cause of Christ, the call of God on your life, to your commitments in leadership.

RENDER your life in true devotion and service.

REMEMBER the passion of the Savior and allow it to be your frame and guide.

RECOMMIT to the cost of genuine discipleship.

LeadHERs, my prayer for you today is that you will consider the cost of following faithfully. Make it your goal to strengthen your commitment to Christ. Prepare your heart for the challenges that may arise but also the victory that awaits those who live a life of true discipleship.