Notable women who knew...

In Chapter 26 we read briefly about a woman who comes to Jesus in Bethany and poured precious ointment on his head. In John 11:2 he names the woman as Mary the sister of Martha and Lazarus.
Jesus comments, "She hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial."

When I read that...it struck me that SHE KNEW!  How many times did he tell the disciples/Apostles about his forthcoming suffering and death.  They were in denial or it just didn't click.  But when she listened to the Savior, the Spirit opened her mind to understand.  I think she was one who knew he was the Christ, the Savior, the Son of God.  She sat at his feet and drank in every word that the Savior taught.  She saw his miracles, He raised her brother from the dead.  She KNEW...his time was at hand.

Then there is the unlikely woman who is married to Pilate. When Pilate was considering what his options were with the situation of the Jews and Jesus, he knew that Jesus was innocent.  He knew that the Jews were accusing him wrongly.  The scriptures say they brought Jesus to him because of their envy!  Pilate's wife sent unto him saying, "Have nothing to do with that just man:  for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him." I do not know what her dream was...but SHE KNEW!

Then Mary the precious mother of Jesus.  SHE KNEW...for many years that He was the Son of God.  He would be the Savior of the World!  I wonder if she understood the pain she would feel for her beloved son.  SHE KNEW from and Angel!  He who had never done any wrong but only blessed so many hung in agony nailed to a cross!  Now in tears, with her heart ready to break into pieces because of the cruelty she saw as people mocked and taunted her son, she nearly collapses at the foot of the cross.   She needed to be close to him, to pray for him and to weep for him because SHE KNEW He had to do it!

Then there were women of pure devotion who loved the Savior and wanted to be near Him and to mourn with Mary his mother.  I think they KNEW also!

Though they all knew He was the Christ...they did not know or understand the resurrection.  No one had ever been resurrected before Jesus.  Their hearts were broken.  I imagine they had faith and hope but could it be?   Then, Sunday Morning...THEY KNEW!

I KNOW IT TOO! 

 I know that Jesus Christ is the literal Son of God.  I know that he suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross for each of us. 

I know that HE lives!  

I know that He leads and guides the Church today.