One Lesson of Easter: ListenTo The Women

One Lesson of Easter: Listen To The Women

Easter is the most important holiday in the Christian calendar. It has ancient roots, is layered up with many symbolic meanings, and of course is based on the most important stories of the New Testament. Today I’d like you to consider just one lesson of Easter, and that is: listen to the women.

Throughout Jesus’ ministry he went against cultural norms of power and privilege, choosing to associate with outcasts, and to elevate people in his community that would have been marginalized in the broader social world of the ancient near east. He frequently conversed with, listened to, and showed respect for women. Women were among his closest followers and supporters, but their role in his ministry is particularly dramatic around the events of Easter.

At his crucifixion we often say that Jesus was abandoned by his disciples, but this is only true of his male disciples. The women were reported as walking with him all the way to Calvary, and lingering at the foot of the cross until his lifeless body was brought down and he was sealed into his tomb. 36 hours later it was Mary Magdalene and other women who went to Jesus’ tomb to anoint his body and they were the first to bear witness to his resurrection. Jesus instructs Mary to return bearing the good news of his resurrection, making her the very first evangelist - the first to preach the good news of our faith. 

Women were the last at the cross and the first at the tomb. Easter is their holiday. Put simply: if we don’t trust and believe women we shall have no gospel and no faith at all.