This morning I was struck by something I read in the book of Mark.  I wasn’t even looking for it.  I was actually heading in a completely different direction.  But it hit me so profoundly I just had to write it down.

I’ve always known that Jesus had remarkable women in His life.  His respect for and care of women is evident throughout Scripture.  He adored His mother.  He had women friends.  He listened to women who were considered social outcasts and “beyond redemption” and offered them love, grace and forgiveness. His first appearance after resurrection was to women. He welcomed and blessed women and their children when His closest followers declared Him too busy for such things. He respected women in a time and culture when that was unheard of.

But this morning I saw a verse that just warmed my heart for some reason.  It was talking about the women that were at Jesus crucifixion.  Mark 15:41 – In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs.  Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.

I just loved reading, as if for the first time, the simple fact that these women took care of Jesus’ practical needs.  They probably fed Him meals, repaired His clothes, maybe even did His laundry.  The verse just spoke to me of the humanness of Jesus and the way that these women worshipped Him in the most practical of ways.

And then I thought of the verse where Jesus is quoted as saying in Matthew 25:40 – “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”  Man or woman, we can worship Jesus with the “mundane” things in life that need doing.  Every small thing done for someone else out of love, is a form of worship.  In essence, how we treat our loved ones, our co-workers, and the people we come in contact with each day reflects our love for God.

I would loved to have made Jesus a meal and have Him over for dinner.  Okay, maybe not dinner (not a big fan of cooking!) but I would LOVE to have had him over for homemade cookies and a fresh-brewed cup of coffee.  I would have attempted to mend His worn sandals or hem His tunic.  And hopefully I would have offered to even throw in a load of laundry for Him.  I would have loved that.

But I CAN!!  When I am doing each of those things for my family, I’m doing them for Him.  And when someone comes across my path today who needs an ear, I will be listening to HIS voice when I listen to theirs.  When my neighbor needs a short “mommy” break and I watch her precious baby for a little while, I am caring not only for that child and her mommy, but Jesus as well.

Jesus was surrounded by women who loved Him, worshipped Him and cared for Him.  Girls that were His friends. I want to be one of those women, serving HIM with every practical, menial or important task.  I want to meet the needs of others and thereby worship Him in the process.

John 13:35 – Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.

John 21:15-17 –  When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep…”