As Jesus hung in agony, many women stood by as witnesses to the very last moment
as their Savior and friend suffered at Calvary’s cross. Among these women experiencing
heartbreaking pain were Mary, the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and other women. While
most of the other disciples fled, these women stood by as witnesses of the Savior’s death,
and then helped cared for his body, and became the first witnesses to his resurrection.
The devotion to the Savior these women showed, when he suffered the most, cannot be overstated.
They not only had to witness one of the most gruesome forms of execution, but they were
risking their own lives to support Christ at the cross. Accomplices to a criminal, including women,
could be crucified as well. Think of the courage they had to remain knowing this, even as others
mocked the Savior. These women show us how we can stand with Christ, even when others do not.
Perhaps the most significant woman standing by is Mary, the mother of Jesus. Mary is a unique
witness of Jesus Christ. She saw the Savior open his eyes for the first time and close them for
the last time as a mortal on earth. Perhaps in that heart wrenching moment she reflected back
on when as a youth an angel told her she would be the mother of the Son of the Most High.
At such a tender age, could she have fully comprehended what that actually meant? Or she
may have thought back to when Jesus was still an infant of just a few weeks old and she and Joseph
brought him to be presented at the Temple in Jerusalem. As they entered the Court of the Women,
Simeon, a devout and righteous man, prophesied that, “This child is destined for the falling and
the rising of many in Israel.” And then to Mary he said, “And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
As her tiny infant slept in her arms, or as the young child followed in her steps, could she have
anticipated the moment when she would watch him crucified on the cross? How desperately she must
have wanted to soothe his pain, and yet she stood by his side, watching him die, so that through his
death we all might live. What a debt of gratitude we owe to this woman who raised Jesus as a child.
In our own lives, we might be asked to do the unthinkable and watch a
loved one suffer as we stand by helplessly. However, we can follow the example of Mary
and keep our eyes focused on Christ. With no power to change the situation, we can find
the strength to endure by looking to the Savior and encouraging those around us to do the same.
Another woman named Mary who stood at the feet of Jesus was Mary Magdalene. Earlier in her life,
she had been possessed by seven devils and had been healed by the Savior. As a devout disciple
of Christ, she remained at the cross after other disciples fled. Perhaps she did not want to leave
him alone to suffer, for he had come to her in one of her moments of greatest suffering.
Although the Sabbath was quickly approaching, Mary did not leave Christ’s side, even after
he had died. We know that she was one of those who stood by as Jesus’ lifeless body was lowered
from the cross. Mary, with other women, then tenderly helped to prepare his corpse for burial.
Additionally, she returned in the early morning hours that day after the Sabbath to
finish preparing his body. To her surprise, she sees the Savior risen from the dead and
becomes the first witness of his resurrection. Her intense sorrow has been replaced with pure joy.
Mary Magdalene’s life teaches us that no struggle we face excludes us from having
momentous spiritual experiences. We can choose to stay close to the Savior
no matter what trials we may face or what our past may have been. And like Mary,
we can find the sweet joy found on that Easter morn and run to invite others to come and see.
Scripture records that most of the male disciples fled, except for the “Beloved Disciple,”
often assumed to be John, yet several women are mentioned as being present at the cross.
Though the Gospels don’t agree on the names and number of these women,
in addition to Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Jesus, it appears that among the many
other women standing at the cross were the sister of Mary, Jesus’ mother, Mary the mother of James
and Joseph, an unnamed woman who was the mother of James and John, Mary of Clopas, and Salome.
Throughout his mortal ministry, many women traveled with the Savior and were
among his closest associates. Significantly, many of these women provided financial assistance
that helped to move the work forward. They showed an unwavering commitment and love for Jesus.
Just before his death, these women travelled with the Savior more than 100 miles from Galilee to
Jerusalem to attend the Passover. As Christ was welcomed to the city with waving palm branches
and shouts of praise, could any of these women imagine that just a few days later
they would stand at his feet in his final hours and watch him die? And yet,
despite the extreme turn of events, they did not flee or turn away as other disciples had done.
Together, as a unified sisterhood, they not only stood with the Savior in his last moments,
but they stood together. How beautiful that among these women was Mary’s own sister,
who supported the mother of the Savior, helping to bear the burden she had to carry.
Like Mary Magdalene, these women came to the tomb and helped to prepare the body of
the Savior for his burial. Despite what appeared to be the complete collapse of all their hopes,
Jesus’s followers stayed near the tomb. They could have left town, but even though they did
not understand what had or would happen, they remained close to where Jesus was.
These women then returned after the Sabbath, to finish the burial process, only to find the tomb
empty. As they left the tomb, the Savior appeared to these women. They clasped the feet of Jesus,
touching his risen body, and then ran to tell the glorious news to the other disciples.
As we contemplate the feelings of these women at the cross, we gain a powerful window into
our own experiences. If you have ever felt fear and anguish as a result of unexpected events,
these women can relate. They show us that we can hold steady even when nothing is turning
out how we had planned. If you have ever felt the devastation of watching your loved ones suffer,
these women can relate. They teach us of the importance of standing together as
family and friends, and that just our presence can be a comfort to others.
Because of Christ’s Atonement, we too can look forward to a time
when the Savior “will swallow up death forever . . . [and] wipe away the tears from all faces.”
We can find hope and strength in the faith of these women who endured this painful experience
at the cross of our Lord and Savior. On that Easter morning, their sorrow turned to joy.
Because the Resurrected Savior lives, so too can our tears dry, our sorrows can be swallowed up,
and we can feel the joy that only Jesus Christ can bring.