April 23, 2025 | Be God's Family
The Women at the Tomb
Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10(NIV)
1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Devotional
The Resurrection – cornerstone of our faith. “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith” (1 Corinthians 15:14). Our faith is nothing without the resurrection.
All four Gospels share the events of that morning. And all four Gospels agree on one point – the women followers of Jesus were first to arrive at the tomb. As Matthew tells it, Mary Magdalene and the “other” Mary were the first to arrive. Mark and Luke tell us the women came to anoint Jesus’ body. But Matthew and John relate a different story. Matthew says the women came “to look at the tomb”. No mention of spices or oils or anointing. Could it be that they were going to the tomb at first light in expectation – expectation of seeing the risen Lord? Could it be that they, not the disciples, remembered and believed Jesus’ promise to be raised on the third day and they were returning to the tomb to see Jesus in his glory? What might the women have been thinking and feeling as they made their way to the tomb?
Validating the importance of women in his life and ministry, Jesus chose these women to be the first to see and experience him after his resurrection. They were also the first to worship him and be appointed to tell the story. This in and of itself is startling. That women figure so prominently in the story of the resurrection – arguably the most important story in scripture – adds credibility to the accuracy of events.
If the gospel writers wanted to “create” a believable story, they would have had men arrive first to the tomb and to attest to Jesus’ resurrection – not women. At the time, women could not give testimony in legal proceedings or be called as witnesses in Jewish courts of law. Their statements were considered “unreliable”. So, no one would have made up a story with women at the center if they wanted it to be believed. Why did Jesus appear to the women first, even before his disciples? Maybe because they were faithful. Because they believed him. Because they didn’t desert him. They were there at the foot of the cross at his darkest hour and they believed in him enough to be there when he came into his glory.
The women were told to “come and see” the empty tomb. Take note that the stone was not rolled away so that Jesus could come out. It was rolled away so that the women, and ultimately, we, could go in – to see his promise fulfilled. Do we believe in the empty tomb? How will we respond to the challenge to “Come and See” the risen Lord for ourselves?
Poem
Despite
Psalm 116
The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Lord, save me!” For you, Lord, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living.
Psalm 116: 3-4, 8-9
Death
Though you would
Swirl around me
Haunt me
Taunt me
Entangle and anguish me
I have One
Who hears my cries
Who sees my distress and sorrow
Who knows my name
My Deliverer
Wipes my tears
Awakens me from death’s slumber
Considers me precious
I have One
Who remembers me
Who know this earthly temple
Who will never leave me in the tomb
