Scripture Reading: Matthew 28 | Sabbath: March 29, 2025
Memory Verse: Matthew 28:1
Matthew 28:1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
Weekly Proverb: Proverbs 28:6
Proverbs 28:6 Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
Introduction: All twelve apostles were men. But while Jesus preached from town to town, many women ministered to His needs. They were faithful from the beginning, until His crucifixion, and after.

1. Jesus’s ministry had just started. John the Baptist had just been beheaded. Early in His ministry, whom did He meet? What did He do for her? What did He do for other women? Luke 8:1-3.
Luke 8:1 And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him,
Luke 8:2 And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,
Luke 8:3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.
2. In return for their deliverance, what did they do for their Saviour? How was their support paid for? By whom? v 3.
Luke 8:3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.
3. Gratitude can last for a moment, a day, or longer. These women ministered to Jesus until what day? What does this have to do with their level of gratitude? Matthew 28:1.
Matthew 28:1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
4. As far as we know, the woman with the alabaster box was not healed of any disease. Her sins were forgiven after this incident. How does this woman worship Jesus before He says her sins are forgiven? Her level of gratitude? Luke 7:36-50.
Luke 7:36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.
Luke 7:37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,
Luke 7:38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
Luke 7:39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
Luke 7:40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
Luke 7:41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
Luke 7:42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
Luke 7:43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
Luke 7:44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
Luke 7:45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
Luke 7:46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
Luke 7:47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
Luke 7:48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
Luke 7:49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
Luke 7:50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
5. During the popular days, while He ministered and healed, the women were with Jesus. When the tide had turned and the trial was over and He was condemned to be crucified, where were the women? Luke 23:23, 24, 26, 27.
Luke 23:23 And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.
Luke 23:24 And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.
Luke 23:26 And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.
Luke 23:27 And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.
6. When He was suffering on the cross and then died, did they leave Him? When he was buried, did they leave Him?
Matthew 27:50, 55, 56, Mark 15:47.
Matthew 27:50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the sprit
Matthew 27:55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:
Matthew 27:56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedees children.
Mark 15:47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.
7. They left Him immediately after He was placed in the sepulchre. But why? Luke 23:55, 56, Mark 16:1.
Luke 23:55 And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.
Luke 23:56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.
Mark 16:1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
8. The apostles were the pillars of the early church. They were with Jesus for three and a half years. After his ascension, they gathered and waited at Jerusalem for “the promise of the Father,” the Holy Spirit. Who was with them? Acts 1:(4, 5), 13, 14.
Acts 1:13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
9. Every major character in the scriptures that was persecuted for the word of God was a man. Does that mean that all who were persecuted were men? Acts 8:1-3.
Acts 8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
Acts 8:2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
Acts 8:3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
Conclusion: Jesus Christ had healed their bodies and their minds. He had given their lives back to them. In return, they gave their lives to support Him. He continued to teach and heal with their help. Jesus Christ has forgiven our sins. He has also given His life for ours. In return, we can give our lives to spread the word of the soon coming kingdom of God.