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The messengers and the message
The first question that came to mind from these verses was, who are these women? Luke 8 tells us that some of these women traveled with Jesus and the twelve; they had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses. These women were devoted to Jesus – they ministered to Him in life by supporting His ministry financially and in this chapter we learn that they ministered to Him in death also. They followed the procession to lay his body in the tomb, and prepared spices and perfumes for his body after the Sabbath was to end.
Christ honored this devotion by allowing them the privilege of being the first witnesses to His resurrection. What an honor! But they were perplexed, then terrified. Only after the promptings from the angels did they remember what Christ had told them. And they believed. Their lives were changed forever.
They came back from the tomb (I picture them running!), telling the apostles what they had seen – they were the first to share the good news of Christ’s resurrection, but what was the response? The apostles thought their words were nonsense and would not believe them.
Ouch! Why didn’t the apostles believe them? Why weren’t they expecting this news? Why weren’t they camped out near the tomb saying, “Jesus, we’re waiting for you. You said on the third day you would rise.”? They’d heard this before from Jesus himself, numerous times. The women were relaying what they had seen, and what they’d been told by angels (God’s messengers). The apostles were a tough audience (and they got a good talking-to later from Jesus Himself – see Mark 16:14).
It’s a bit comforting to know that those who were closest to Jesus had a hard time believing in the amazing, miraculous, and incredible resurrection. I believe… help my unbelief.
Thanks Stacy.
God created us as such complex, stubborn, independent creatures, didn’t He? Funny how the more things change, the more they stay the same. We (I) seem to continue to have these moments of doubt, when my faith falters for a moment (the fear creeps in). But now I am trying to stay in the moment, imagine Jesus walking beside me holding and swinging my hand and telling me to be strong and know that He is sufficient for all things. Praise Jesus! Thanks Stacy for your words and for your’s and Marty’s leadership in our Sunday morning class.
God created us as such complex, stubborn, independent creatures, didn’t He? Funny how the more things change, the more they stay the same. We (I) seem to continue to have these moments of doubt, when my faith falters for a moment (the fear creeps in). But now I am trying to stay in the moment, imagine Jesus walking beside me holding and swinging my hand and telling me to be strong and know that He is sufficient for all things. Praise Jesus! Thanks Stacy for your words and for your’s and Marty’s leadership in our Sunday morning class.
You have the right question” “Why didn’t the apostles believe them? Why weren’t they expecting this news? Why weren’t they camped out near the tomb saying, “Jesus, we’re waiting for you. You said on the third day you would rise.”? They’d heard this before from Jesus himself, numerous times.” It seems impossible that with all that information, and all that love and attention He had showered on them,and they on Him…that they could miss it!!! And yet we know that the Jewish authorities also failed to read the signs of the times–or when they did, they refused to both believe and welcome His appearance. And now we are in a similar situation regarding the “signs of the times”. Will we be searching the scriptures for signs of His return, and will we have our wicks trimmed for the wedding party of the groom? This is not an idle question. I worry about it every day…with my stubborn nature, will I be ready when He comes to enter the hall and celebrate with the other guests?