In the Dust of the Rabbi

When a rabbi invited someone to follow him, the chosen disciple walked closely behind their teacher or sat at his feet to learn. The closer they followed, the greater the chance of being covered in the dust he kicked up as he walked along the road.

Jesus’ disciples would have walked this closely with Him. But Jesus stood out as a different kind of rabbi when He also allowed women to join Him and sit at His feet. He elevated women to a greater status than they were used to. And they became some of His most devoted followers.

Mary Magdalene was one of the most devout. She and several other women provided for Jesus in His ministry and walked with Him all around Galilee, through city after city. They listened to Him preach, watched Him heal and cast out demons, and even saw Him raise the dead. And they followed Him all the way to Jerusalem, where they participated with Him in the feasts and watched as the religious leaders tried to trap Him in His words.

Jesus began His ministry by preaching repentance for the forgiveness of sins and taught about the coming kingdom of God. But there came a time when His message shifted and He began talking about His coming death and resurrection. The men who followed Him so closely didn’t understand. They were caught up in talk of the kingdom and the part they would play in it.

The women, on the other hand, were paying attention. They sensed and likely feared what Jesus said was coming. While they couldn’t follow Him everywhere, they stayed as close as they possibly could. Even when it meant being the only disciples left standing near Him at the foot of the cross.

Prayer: Lord, we cannot physically walk with Jesus as His disciples did so long ago. But we can open Your Word and spiritually sit at Your feet as Your Holy Spirit teaches us. As we do so, give us eyes to see and ears to hear and help us to walk with You so closely that we can almost smell and taste and feel the dust, as though we were walking with You in Galilee. Help us to draw so close to You that we become like You. And give us the same devotion You gave Mary Magdalene when she followed You everywhere, no matter what we may face.