Many women were there [at the cross], watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons. Matthew 27:55-56
We all have people to whom, because of their positive influence in our lives, we will be forever grateful and loyal. It may be our mom and dad who stuck with us when we were a little crazy in our thinking and behavior. They loved us when we were hard to love and they cared for us when we were not easy to care for. I remember fondly a friend who provided us a mountain home for a week when our marriage was weakened from turmoil at work and fatigue from raising four teenager daughters. We remain loyal to those who gave us life support when life was unfair. Love is loyal.
Mary Magdalene was loyal to her Lord Jesus, who had healed her body from disease and saved her soul from sin. The disciples dispersed as Jesus was hoisted up on the cross, but Mary and many women remained close by. He was the fresh voice of authority from God who spoke up for their injustices and related to them as equals. He treated women as precious humans created in the image of God. Loyalty grows evermore thankful when defended by a friend who finds themselves in need. Loyalty lovingly shows up when others drift away in fear.
“Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find” (Proverbs 20:6)?
Who deserves your grateful loyalty? Maybe a boss who believed in you, when you didn’t believe in yourself. Now you have an opportunity to stay engaged at work—though your job is really hard. Faithfulness in your work is evidence that the Holy Spirit is at work in your heart. A test of your loyalty happens when you have an opportunity to speak up for someone being spoken of unjustly. Maybe it’s gossip or maybe the disparaging discussion misunderstands the facts. Loyalty speaks up and brings clarity to the conversation. Loyalty remembers past loyalty and is thankful.
Most of all, we can be ever grateful for the loyal love of our heavenly Father. He remains faithful, even when we are not faithful. When we walk away—He walks with us. When we don’t speak up—He speaks up for us. When we forget—He remembers. When we are disloyal—He is loyal. Thankfulness to Christ for His chronic forgiveness of our sins compels us to remain gratefully loyal to our Lord. God’s unfailing love succeeds over our failing love. Christ’s perfect love transcends our imperfect love. Divine love is loyal despite our faults. God’s love keeps us loyal.
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am grateful for Your unfailing love that keeps me loyal to Jesus.
~Wisdom Hunters Devotional~
We all have people to whom, because of their positive influence in our lives, we will be forever grateful and loyal. It may be our mom and dad who stuck with us when we were a little crazy in our thinking and behavior. They loved us when we were hard to love and they cared for us when we were not easy to care for. I remember fondly a friend who provided us a mountain home for a week when our marriage was weakened from turmoil at work and fatigue from raising four teenager daughters. We remain loyal to those who gave us life support when life was unfair. Love is loyal.
Mary Magdalene was loyal to her Lord Jesus, who had healed her body from disease and saved her soul from sin. The disciples dispersed as Jesus was hoisted up on the cross, but Mary and many women remained close by. He was the fresh voice of authority from God who spoke up for their injustices and related to them as equals. He treated women as precious humans created in the image of God. Loyalty grows evermore thankful when defended by a friend who finds themselves in need. Loyalty lovingly shows up when others drift away in fear.
“Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find” (Proverbs 20:6)?
Who deserves your grateful loyalty? Maybe a boss who believed in you, when you didn’t believe in yourself. Now you have an opportunity to stay engaged at work—though your job is really hard. Faithfulness in your work is evidence that the Holy Spirit is at work in your heart. A test of your loyalty happens when you have an opportunity to speak up for someone being spoken of unjustly. Maybe it’s gossip or maybe the disparaging discussion misunderstands the facts. Loyalty speaks up and brings clarity to the conversation. Loyalty remembers past loyalty and is thankful.
Most of all, we can be ever grateful for the loyal love of our heavenly Father. He remains faithful, even when we are not faithful. When we walk away—He walks with us. When we don’t speak up—He speaks up for us. When we forget—He remembers. When we are disloyal—He is loyal. Thankfulness to Christ for His chronic forgiveness of our sins compels us to remain gratefully loyal to our Lord. God’s unfailing love succeeds over our failing love. Christ’s perfect love transcends our imperfect love. Divine love is loyal despite our faults. God’s love keeps us loyal.
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am grateful for Your unfailing love that keeps me loyal to Jesus.
~Wisdom Hunters Devotional~
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