What Jesus Did! 'The Women' — Luke 23:26-31

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

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As [the mob] led Jesus away, a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, happened to be coming in from the countryside. The soldiers seized him and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women. But Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, don't weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are coming when they will say, 'Fortunate indeed are the women who are childless, the wombs that have not borne a child and the breasts that have never nursed.' People will beg the mountains, 'Fall on us,' and plead with the hills, 'Bury us.' For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?"
— Luke 23:26-31 NLT

Key Thought

Some of the key figures in Jesus' Passion and resurrection are "the women." While Jesus' disciples had abandoned him earlier, "the women" were with him on the way to Golgotha and were at the foot of the cross and at the tomb on resurrection Sunday. They were the first to know about his resurrection. They were also there in the days awaiting the coming of the Spirit in the early chapters of the book of Acts. "The women" are faithful examples of true followers of Jesus through his ordeal. These unnamed women provide a great reminder that often the most faithful and loyal of Jesus' disciples are not those who are best known to us. However, they are treasured and honored by God. All around us are heroic, faithful, and exemplary disciples who love the Lord, yet so often, we focus on those who fail. Let these women be a reminder that our heritage is not built on the faith of just the well-known, but also on the faith of the loyal and courageous less-known heroes of faith.

Today's Prayer

Father in heaven, the Almighty God, thank you for your women of faith who have been examples through the ages. Thank you for their courage, loyalty, and strength. Thank you for their willingness to play important roles in your story of grace and yet not have to be in the spotlight of history. Thank you, O God, for the women of faith who have played such a vital and powerful role in my life. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Luke 8:1-3; Matthew 26:56
  • Luke 23:55-56, 24:1-12
  • Acts 1:11-12, 14

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Illustration

Illustration of Luke 23:26-31 NLT — For the days are coming when they will say, 'Fortunate indeed are the women who are childless, the wombs that have not borne a child and the breasts that have never nursed.

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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