Remember His Words
It has been a challenging week for the women who have faithfully followed Jesus during the last three years of his life; the women who have heard him preach and listened to his teaching and witnessed his healing and supported his ministry with their own resources.
These were faithful women; women who knew Jesus well; who were committed to him and the relationship they shared; who trusted his promise that he had come that they might have life and have it abundantly; who hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel.
In these last days, these women have traveled many miles with Jesus, walking down from the northern region of Galilee through the valley and up the mountain to the city of Jerusalem, to observe Passover with him in the holy city.
They were with Jesus when he rode into the city on a donkey; and people greeted him with joy; they were so happy to see him! The people were waving branches; calling him “the King who comes in the name of the Lord”; and shouting “Hosanna” – that is, “save us”. Surely, the people thought, he was the one who would rescue them from the violence and oppression of the Roman Empire, under which they lived.
No doubt the women were with Jesus in the upper room (though not at the table) when Jesus washed his disciples’ feet and gave them the new commandment to love one another as he loved them and offered them his body and blood in the bread and the wine, given for you, in remembrance of him.
Perhaps they were with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, as he prayed for the cup to be removed and God’s will to be done; while the disciples slept; and he was handed over to the authorities – betrayed by a kiss from one of his own.
Maybe these women kept watch through that long night, as Jesus was dragged back and forth between the religious leaders and the authorities of the empire, who were deciding his fate; and one of his own denied knowing him three times; and the same people who cheered him earlier in the week now cried out “crucify him!, crucify him!”; and the soldiers mocked him and beat him.
The women were there as Jesus was condemned to die and was led through Jerusalem, struggling to carry his cross; on his way to the hill where he will be nailed to the cross; hung up and executed as a criminal; put to death as an enemy of the empire; because he taught that God loved all people.
And these women were there with Jesus in the middle of the day, on that dark day, standing at the foot of the cross; close enough for him to speak with him, as they watch him suffer. They are standing there even after most of the other disciples – the men – had deserted him. Close enough to hear him say “It is finished.” and see him bow his head and give up his spirit.
They were there, watching from a distance, as his body was taken down from the cross by a secret supporter of Jesus and wrapped in linen cloth and laid in a new tomb; and a great stone was rolled in front of the it.
Then the women went home, to prepare the spices and ointments for a proper burial for the their friend’s body and to rest on the Sabbath, as commanded by God’s law.
They return to the tomb, of course, as soon as they could; early in the morning on the first day of the week; the third day since Jesus had been crucified and laid in the tomb. They return expecting to anoint Jesus’ dead body with the spices they had prepared, as was their custom.
When they arrive they find the stone has been rolled away; when they enter the tomb, they are perplexed to find it empty and terrified to be greeted by 2 men in dazzling clothes, who say to them “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to the hands of sinners and be crucified and on the third day rise again.”
We might think that the women would be confused by these words, wondering what they meant. Who ever heard of someone rising from the dead? Yet it seems the women find meaning in the message rather quickly, even under these extraordinary circumstances.
In the midst of their grief and heartbreak and exhaustion from the chaos and trauma they had experienced during the preceding week of days, the women “remembered his words”. They remembered that Jesus had told them “that the Son of Man must be handed over to the hands of sinners and be crucified and on the third day rise again”. And now they know that these words are true.
The women are identified in Luke as Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James and the other women. We know from the other gospel stories that these women could have included Mary, the mother of Jesus; her sister; Salome; and Mary of Clopas.
According to all 4 gospels, these women are the first people to witness the empty tomb and to receive the Good News that Jesus is risen from the dead.
They are the first to encounter the power of the resurrection; the power that makes us alive in Christ.
They are the first to experience that God’s love really is stronger than death and that God really can – and does – make all things new.
The women leave the tomb and testify to this Good News of the resurrection with the apostles. The response of the men is underwhelming; they consider it an “idle tale”; they refuse to believe it.
It’s as if the men do not remember that Jesus had told them “that the Son of Man must be handed over to the hands of sinners and be crucified and on the third day rise again.”
Perhaps, in the midst of their grief and heartbreak and exhaustion from the chaos and trauma they had experienced during the preceding week of days, the men were too overwhelmed to remember Jesus’ words.
Perhaps some of you gathered here today, on this festive day of celebration, are overwhelmed, in the midst of grief or heartbreak or exhaustion…or fear…or guilt…or frustration…or whatever emotion might come to mind….from the chaos and trauma we’ve experienced – personally and collectively; in our own lives; in our families or community; in the country; in the world – during the preceding days, weeks, months.
In these challenging times, I encourage you to learn from the witness of these women at the empty tomb: follow Jesus faithfully. Remember his words. Remember he has told us “that the Son of Man must be handed over to the hands of sinners and be crucified and on the third day rise again.”
Hold fast to these words, my friends in Christ; for these are the words of promise that lead to resurrection and new life through Jesus Christ.
These are words of hope and assurance that with God all things are possible.
These are words of life and love and salvation.
We hear from the reading from 1 Corinthians today that every ruler and authority and power – every empire (even one led by a dictator) – does not have the last word; they will all be destroyed.
Death does not have the last word; it too will be destroyed.
Our life in Christ, given to us through the free gift of God’s grace, will remain for all eternity.
God’s love is stronger than death.
Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here..
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!