Are you standing by the cross?

In John chapter 19 verse 25 it is recorded that ‘there stood by the cross’ three Marys. They did not stand with the crowd. They stood by the cross. Are we standing by the cross?

Of the three Marys there was Mary the mother of Jesus. She was a silent witness to her children who did not believe, John 7. 5. There was Mary the mother of Cleophas. Little is known of her or her husband. He does not seem to be there. She was a silent witness to her husband of her love for the Lord. There was Mary Magdalene out of whom the Lord had cast seven demons, Luke 8. 2. She was a silent witness to the hosts of Hell. John, the beloved disciple, was also there, v. 26. He was known to the high priest, John 18. 15-16. He was a silent witness to the merciless religious rulers – a dangerous place to be. How important to keep standing by the cross!

Standing by the cross is the place of encouragement. Mary the mother of Jesus is found in the upper room praying with her believing children, Acts 1. 14. Mary Magdalene was the first to see Him alive from the dead, Mark 16. 9. He was the one who had destroyed him that had the power of death that is the devil, Heb. 2. 14. John was the first to believe in the Lord’s resurrection without physically seeing Him, John 20. 8. How important to keep standing by the cross and believing in the living Lord!