The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 633

Ver. 6L-Womanly deuotWII,. "Last at the cross, first at the grave." It does not appear that the women dared do any more than watch our Lord's death, watch his taking down from the cross, and watch where they took his body. But that watching wa.-; devotion. They did not feel that the men could do what was really needed for the dead body, a.nd so their devotion planned loyal and loving womanly service as eoun as ever the sabbath was over, and they would be clear of our Lord's bitter enemies, and of the rough Roman soldiers. They planned in their womanly way; t;hey prepared for their intended embalming; they started to begin their work almost before the morning broke; and, though they could not do what they purposed, they did well that it was in their hearts. L TBE WOMEN WATCHING THE CBOss. There seems to have been quite a little company of them, and we know that Mary, our Lord's mother, was one of them. Custom made them keep together, and stand a little apart from the men; but they were not far off not out of the sound of our Lord's voice, and they could see every- thing. But what must that sight have been to them? Suffering is sacred to woman; a son's suffering is an infinite woe to .a mother. Not a dry eye; and oh I what heaving breasts! 11. THE WO.MEN WATCHING THE GRAVE. Only two of them now. When the last sigh came from that cross John tenderly upheld the fainting mother, and bore her a11ay, some of the women going with them to help in tending her. Two of them felt as if they could not go. We know those two. They were Mary Magdalene and Mary of Bethany. They watched the taking down. They followed, as loving mourner~1 the sad procession. They saw the men carry the body into the tomb, come out, roll the stone to the door, and go away. But they were fascinated. They sat down ?Ver il.gainst the sepulchre; they waited until the gathering_ shadows and the col~ Illght wiods drove them to seek shelter. Dear women I Their love was helpless : 1t could do nothing for its loved One. Oh, say not so I Love does everything for its loved one, when it loves 011 through all woe, faithful, true, self-denying, unto the very end.-R. T OB, xxvm.1-20.] 'l'HE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTIJEW. 639