“Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs.” Matthew 27:55

Matthew recorded the events surrounding Jesus’ capture, trial, crucifixion and death very carefully. As I read through his account, I am stunned by how much information is actually included. It seems that every time I reread these later chapters of Matthew, some new detail or connection is brought to light.

In pondering my topic for this month’s letter, the above verse captured my attention. Put yourself in the place of those women. You have given up the comforts of home and family to care for the needs of a man and his followers as they travel from place to place, teaching and preaching to anyone who might listen. Now you are watching him die - a slow, painful, humiliating death. And you can do nothing to help him.

While Jesus’ crucifixion was a painful experience for these women, they also had the joy and pleasure of caring for Jesus and his disciples. What a privilege to personally provide comfort and nourishment and support to the Son of God himself!

Oh, to have such an opportunity!

Oh, but we do!

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40. While we may not be at Jesus’ side, serving his supper and preparing his shelter for the evening as he was preaching and teaching, we can serve him by serving our brothers and sisters in the ministry who are doing the same thing today.

We can, with our offerings and prayers, support those missionaries at home and abroad as they preach and teach. We can support projects listed in the LWMS Home and World Mission Projects booklet to fund specific methods of sharing God’s word. We can use the LWMS “Hands to c.a.r.e. Projects List” to actively support missions through hands-on projects right in our own congregations. We can, through groups like the WELS Kingdom Workers, ‘go and tell’ alongside the missionaries.

This Lenten season, as you ponder on the suffering that Jesus did for you, take a moment to consider how we may respond with grateful and thankful hearts. We have been given many opportunities to care for Jesus today.

Will you?