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WAREHAM UNITED REFORMED CHURCH

He is Risen: The Testimony of Women

Women feature prominently in the Easter story. They were at the
foot of the cross when Jesus was crucified, when many of the male
disciples had fled in fear. They were the first to go to Jesus' tomb,
to perform the burial rites with spices. They saw of course an empty
tomb and the angels advising them that Jesus had risen.

Now, women's testimony had very low status in Jewish law. So
unsurprisingly the disciples cowering in the Upper Room dismissed
the women's story. But this only makes the account more true. Why
include the evidence of women if the story was invented? The
evidence of men would have carried much more weight. The
reason must be that it is an actual eyewitness account by the
women.

Furthermore, the first person that the risen Jesus appeared to was
a woman, Mary Magdalene. Of course she did not recognise Him,
believing Him to be the gardener, and this also rings true. She did
not expect to see Jesus and therefore she did not know him.
Imagine her joy and astonishment as he called her by name, 'Mary'.
His voice she did recognise. As she moved to greet her beloved
master, Jesus warned her not to touch Him, as he had not yet
ascended to His Father. Then later He
appeared to the male disciples,
and they realised that the
women's account was true.

May we all be full of joy and
astonishment as we ponder
the great story of
Easter once again.

Every blessing
Janet

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