Luke 23:55-56
And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.  And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

They are the often silent but constant presence in Jesus’ life—these women who followed Him and served Him.  These women would not abandon Him, but followed Him to the very end, standing afar off to behold Him on the cross and as He was placed in the tomb.  They were totally devoted to their Lord, dedicated in service to Him.  They had been with Him on His journey.  They’d gone from place to place.  They’d given of their substance.  They would undertake to prepare the spices.  They would not turn away from the brutal spectacle of His death, but remained steadfast in their faithfulness to Jesus.

They aren’t well-known like the apostles, but they were still involved in Jesus’ life and ministry.  They had an important part to play in His story.  And we would do well to follow the example of these women who followed Jesus.  First of all, they followed faithfully.  They went where Jesus went and didn’t leave Him for any reason.  That was evidenced by their presence here at the cross.  We, too, can make a commitment to follow Jesus wherever He may lead and to refuse to turn aside no matter what comes our way.

They were also devoted in their service to Jesus.  They probably ministered to Him in many small and unmentioned ways, tending to important things like preparing the spices and making sure necessary things got done.  They gave what they could when they could.  They loved Jesus wholeheartedly.  They did what they did all for Jesus and for Him only.  They truly did dedicate their lives to Him.

What about us?  If we know Jesus as our Savior, we have a personal relationship with Him, but it takes commitment and determination to follow Him with our lives.  It is a conscious choice to follow Him and perhaps leave other things behind.  It is a choice to give of our time or what we have.  It is a decision we make whether we will stay close to Him.  And it is a heart attitude that determines whether we are truly willing to dedicate ourselves and our lives wholly to our Savior.  If we have chosen to follow Jesus, what kind of followers will we be?