As the news of the Resurrection spread, the four first-person accounts paint a strong contrast between those who believed and those who refused. Because the women so readily believed on that first morning, I’ve continued pondering this response this week. Without question there were women who saw Jesus perform miracles or listened to Jesus teach who were disbelieving yet that is not the story recorded.
There is no tool to measure transcendent qualities such as faith, truth, or belief. There must be some uniqueness to our God created female makeup that helps us believe more readily. My husband believes that difference may explain why churches usually have more women filling the pews than men. An interesting observation.
Women were created to give life, that we know. Through childbirth but also through faithful belief in a husband, in friends, in our children we inspire hope, grow trust, and therefore build relationships. And so the Mary’s, Salome, and Joanna moved to a life giving belief in Jesus miraculous conquering of death. He had said to them and others, “give and it shall be given to you.”
When I give my belief to Him in obedience, in surrender, in hope as I wait patiently, I am in turn given life. Somehow my belief in Jesus’ message gives it life in me and in others.
The other side of this coin is found in the early pages of Genesis when quick to believe Eve saw life in a lie which in turn brought unending death. “But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate” (Genesis 3:4-6). I have never been fond of the verse which says Eve was deceived first not Adam. But it’s as true as the strong faith of the women at the tomb. What we believe is crucial. Knowing a strength has a corresponding weakness is wisdom.
As the women eagerly went near to Jesus even when they thought He was still dead, I want to eagerly go near Him in His word knowing one day I too will see Him face to face as did they. And maybe I’ll see angels surrounding Him as did these honored women.
Yes, they went to serve because of their love for Him. His resurrection was revealed to them first, and like the shepherds they spread the wonderful news. Thank you for your reflection on this passage!