03.30.04

So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, "Truly this was the Son of God!" And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar (watching from a distance - NIV), among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons. - Matthew 27:54-56.

When I was a child, I would help my mother with the garden, which included planting the seeds. We planted the seeds by hand, digging the holes, placing the seeds in the small holes, and then covering the seeds up with the dirt. It was exciting when the plants began to grow and poke through the earth. That was the part about gardening that I enjoyed as a child. Some of the other parts I didn’t enjoy quite as much. But for the most part even today, gardening is a hands on activity. To be a successful gardener you are going to have to get your hands dirty.

Considering the different people involved or viewing the crucifixion of Jesus we find that there were “many women” who were present. When compared to the disciples the women are to be commended because they did not deny Jesus and they did not run away and hide. The passage of Scripture in Matthew 27 says that the women viewed the crucifixion from “afar” or “from a distance.” Most likely this was as close as they were allowed to come or as close as was safe for them to be with the mob mentality that was still present. However, the phrase “looking on from afar” has caught my attention and it is a haunting and convicting phrase when applied to our own lives.

Too many times, we see ourselves and other Christians taking on the role of spectator in regard to the Christian life. Yes, we come to church, we sing, we bow our heads in prayer, and we listen to the preaching but do we ever get our hands dirty? No, we are not out there doing terrible things day after day but does our Christianity ever go beyond being a spectator sport. Are we ever involved in hands on Christianity? Do we apply the words in the hymns we sing and the sermons we hear preached to our lives? Are we benchwarmers or active, hands on participants in the Christian life?

God has called all of us to be co-laborers with Him. God has called all of us to be Ambassadors for Christ. Maybe you have been afraid you will get your hands dirty? There is no way to avoid it if you are to be fully engaged and in God’s will for your life as a child of God.