Easter

The first people to hear the good news of Jesus’ resurrection? Two women.

The first people to share the good news of Jesus’ resurrection? Two women.

At a time when men often avoided women, so as not to become ceremonially unclean, Jesus sought them out and spoke with them.

At a time when devout men literally thanked God that they were not women, Jesus invited women to follow Him.

Maybe it was divine orchestration that allowed women to be first to the empty tomb.

But maybe it was something else, too.

Perhaps women were first to the tomb because they’d been so profoundly aware of how divergent He was from so many of the other men they’d encountered.

Perhaps they were sensitive to noticing how He was turning things upside down because, for women, His treatment of them was upside down.

Maybe their intimate connection and loyal devotion to Jesus was rooted in their experience of Him restoring what had never been given to them by the world they lived in.

Jesus offered and continues to offer women dignity, respect, freedom, and invitation.

But maybe also, part of the reason it was women who first heard and shared the good news was that the impact He had on them was so radical that they literally could not care less what danger or criticism they faced by following Him … even to death … and back to life.

Today we remember and celebrate that He is risen! And we nod our heads to a Jesus who, for whatever reason, revealed it first to women. May we embrace His radical acceptance of all who may be cast out and trust that if He restored dignity to the women in His life, then maybe we can believe He offers us the same.