DOORMAT of LOVE

[Read:  John 19-20]

Three women stood at the foot of the cross:  Mary (His mother), Mary (the sister of His mother), and Mary Magdalene.  [John 19:25]  They were so courageous...they were so devoted....their love for Jesus was stronger than their fear.  [I John 4:18]

We're all familiar with Peter, James, and John--but what about these 3 women?  I believe these 3 were as important, and as close, to Jesus as were these 3 men.  These men were strong....they had bigger muscles, but these women were equipped with a strength men do not possess:  The ability to "travail" (endure intense agony) through the tough times.  Women understand, and are equipped, to birth new life.  Jesus was in intense agony on the cross....He was "travailing" in the spirit.  He was "giving birth" to the Holy Spirit and "delivering" the Holy Spirit to His believers here on earth.

Three women, and only one man, stood at the foot of the cross 'til death did part them from Jesus.  I was a hospice chaplain for some 15 years, and I stood at many bedsides of those who were dying.  The women almost always remained at their loved one's side--being steadfast and faithful to the end--few men did.    

Peter (and the rest,) RAN away.  Peter  ran into a "mind field of emotion."  He stepped on a landmine of fear and it exploded --blowing him to pieces!  His wounds of guilt, shame, and sorrow nearly took his life.

The 3 women, on the other hand, remained to pick up Jesus' broken body.  With broken hearts they performed their last act of loving service on His behalf.

Men, in those days, didn't value women.  Women were no more than objects to be used--a necessity for bearing children and doing chores.  When Jesus arrived on the scene, things changed!  Jesus liberated women!   He validated their position in life, which was equal to (but different from) mans.

Jesus allowed women to draw close to Him.  He welcomed women to walk side-by-side with Him.
He invited women to serve with Him in His ministry.  He showered them with agape (perfect) love.

Jesus wouldn't tolerate an "All Boys' Club" mentality!  He threw out the old doormat that read "NO WOMEN ALLOWED," and replaced it with a doormat that said, "COME IN, MY BELOVED."