Women at the tomb

“The women going to Jesus’ tomb on that first Easter morning could not have been sure they were going to have access to Jesus’ body. What were they expecting to do?”—Ryan
All four gospels relate the account of women going to Jesus’ tomb (Mt. 28:1-8; Mk 16:1-8; Lk. 24:1-12; Jn. 20:1-18). Because of Sabbath restrictions the previous Friday evening, the burial had been hurried and incomplete. These friends of Jesus carried with them the requisite spices for a proper preparation of the body (Mk. 16:1; Lk. 24:1).

What were they expecting? The gospel writers don’t tell us. Certainly they were still in the early stages of grief. Beyond that, we might surmise they were hoping for a sympathetic guard who would let them in (Mk. 16:3). Perhaps they were hoping against hope that they would find the tomb unguarded and somehow accessible, even though they had seen the opening covered with a large stone and sealed.

This is the response of deep, unfettered love—love that hopes in the face of despair and acts when all seems lost. This love, driven by an inner impulse beyond mere calculus, looks past the seemingly impossible and finds within itself the will to act. These women would go to Jesus—and deal with whatever they found.

There is one point not to be missed. The women knew Jesus was dead. They had seen Him die and had helped lay Him in the grave. They did not come expecting to find the tomb empty and shining messengers proclaiming His return to life!

They experienced an overwhelming mix of joy, astonishment and terror (Mt. 28:8; Mk. 16:8; Lk. 24:5). They ran to tell the other disciples who were disbelieving and skeptical. The news of the resurrection of Christ from the dead was a complete shock—their subsequent encounter with Him, however, changed their lives forever!

Is the Bible anti-women?

“Is the Bible basically ‘anti-women’?”—Sharon

This question arose from a recent reading of The DaVinci Code, a fictional novel based on the premise that powerful men in the early church suppressed information about the contribution of women, especially that of Mary Magdalene, to the life and work of Jesus and those who followed Him.

Leaving a critique of the book to another time, one need not look far into Scripture to glimpse the indispensable role of women in the unfolding drama of “salvation history.” Indeed, anyone who claims that women are devalued or dismissed in the Bible has not given the Book an honest reading. Naming even a few—Sarah, Miriam, Rahab, Deborah, Ruth, Esther, Mary—underscores the importance of the feminine presence in God’s work in the world.

Though often not as powerful as the men in their culture, women are portrayed as no less wise, intelligent, faithful or even influential.

Jesus certainly treasured the friendship of and ministry with numerous women (Mark 15:40-41; Luke 8:1-3; 10:38-42). Mary Magdalene was the first witness to His resurrection (John 20:1-18)! Paul affirmed the effectual ministry of several women (Rom. 16:1-2, 6, 12, 15). He worked alongside Priscilla and her husband, who led a church in their home (Acts 18:2, 18; Rom. 16:3-5).

Clearly, some biblical passages limit the role of women in the early church. A balanced, careful, prayerful reading of all the Bible says on the issue is necessary for us to grasp the full scope and relevance of its message.