Faithful in the Shadows

April 17, 2025

From Pastor Eileen States

She doesn't have a name in the Gospel account. No title. No backstory. No direct words recorded from her lips. But she was there.

As Jesus hung on the cross, surrounded by jeers, soldiers, and silence from many of His once-loyal followers, Scripture tells us that “many women” were watching from a distance. These women had followed Jesus, cared for His needs, and stayed when others fled.

Among them was someone history didn’t bother to name—but Heaven surely knows her.

We don’t know what this woman looked like, what family she came from, or what kind of faith story led her to follow Jesus. But we do know this: she stayed.

She didn’t stay because it was safe. She didn’t stay because it made sense. She stayed because she loved Him.

In a world that often elevates the loudest, the boldest, or the most public acts of faith, this woman’s quiet presence speaks volumes. Her devotion wasn’t defined by applause -it was revealed in the shadows of suffering.

And maybe that’s where you find yourself today - not on a platform, not in the spotlight, but quietly following Jesus, faithfully showing up, and maybe wondering if anyone notices.

He notices.

This nameless woman was there. That’s what God remembered. And in being there, she honored the Savior in His darkest hour. She teaches us that you don’t need a title to be significant in the Kingdom of God. You just need to stay close to Jesus.

Some questions to think on as you go about this week leading up to this special weekend where we remember all that our God was willing to go through in order to offer us a way out of this world of sin and suffering. 

• Are you feeling unseen in your faith journey right now?

• What does it look like for you to stay close to Jesus even when it’s hard?

• How can you serve Him today in quiet, faithful ways?

My prayer for you is that You would know that you are seen by God and that He will honor your quiet devotion to stay near even when it’s hard. I pray that you would be faithful in the shadows knowing He is there witnessing the meditations of your heart. 

Stay faithful my friend,

Pastor Eileen