Grief happens to each of us. Whether loss is anticipated or unexpected makes little difference; we still grieve. The people following Jesus to the cross understood that. Luke, a Gospel writer intent on recording the smallest detail, wrote, “A large crowd of people followed him, including women who were mourning and lamenting him” (Luke 23:27). This crowd included women unashamedly grieving. They didn’t hide their despair at losing Jesus. The cruelty He suffered overwhelmed them. The agony Jesus faced on the cross rattled them to the core. Luke recorded this tender moment between Jesus and the women, “But turning to them, Jesus said, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and your children,’” (Luke 23:28). Jesus noticed their grief and responded to it in this verse and the verses that follow. First, Jesus acknowledged these women’s love and pain. Second, He reminded them this was not the end of pain for them. They would face great trials because of their faith in Jesus. Yet, just like in this moment, Jesus never stopped turning to and reassuring them. He does the same for us.
Challenge: Accept Jesus’ turning to you when you are grieving.
Claudean Boatman learned to serve Jesus from those women in her childhood who served Him well. Claudean earned a Master of Theological Studies from Gateway Seminary, Rocky Mountain Campus (Denver area), in 2023. Find out more at claudeanboatman.com.