Every year, it is a pastor’s job to summarize the death and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ, in such a way that does it justice and also moves the congregation. This year has been a trial for me to do that. I’ll explain. I felt the need from the Holy Spirit to hone in on figures in the Bible around Lent who don’t get much time in the spotlight. Too often, we focus on what we would consider “heavy hitters”, and many others end up falling through the cracks. During the last service, we discussed Simon of Cyrene, who carried the cross, and Joseph of Arimathea, who allowed Jesus’ body to rest in his family’s tomb. This time, we will be looking at the women who surrounded the Messiah during his crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection. These women are more important than you could know, second only to Jesus in the story. Without them, would we even know to celebrate Easter? Let’s find out!
1. When the Disciples Fled, the Women Stayed
– Matthew 26:56: “Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.”
– Matthew 27:55–56: “Many women were there, watching from a distance…”
– Mark 15:40–41: Names Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome. “These women had followed him and cared for his needs.”
– Luke 23:49: “The women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance, watching.”
– John 19:25: “Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother… and Mary Magdalene.”
These women did not run. They did not hide. They stood by the cross when everyone else left. Their faith didn’t rely on miracles or power—it was rooted in love and devotion.
2. They Were Present in Death, and Faithful in Burial
– Luke 23:55–56: “The women… followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes.”
These women mourned in action. They followed Jesus from life into death, and then cared for his body.
They demonstrated what we might call a theology of presence—showing up, even when all seems lost.
3. First to Witness the Resurrection
– Luke 24:1–10: The women go to the tomb and are told by angels, “He is not here; he has risen!”
– John 20:11–18: Mary Magdalene meets the risen Christ.
She becomes the first preacher of the resurrection: “I have seen the Lord!”
The greatest announcement in human history did not come through royalty, the temple, or even the Twelve. It came through women who remained faithful.
4. Theological Themes We Learn from the Women
– Devotion: They followed Jesus before the cross, during it, and after.
– Courage: They stayed when others fled. Presence in the face of danger.
– Perseverance: They grieved, they waited, they returned.
– Witness: They proclaimed the resurrection. First evangelists.
– God’s Reversal: The ones society overlooked were the ones God chose to reveal His greatest truth.
These women were not chosen by the world, but they were chosen by God. In their culture, their voices were discounted, yet God entrusted them with the greatest message ever told. This is not just history—it is a divine pattern. God is still choosing the overlooked, the dismissed, the ones pushed to the margins.
For many in the LGBTQ+ community, this resonates deeply. So often, we too have been seen as less-than. Pushed aside. Told we don’t belong. But here’s the truth: just like these faithful women, God sees us, values us, and calls us to carry the message of resurrection hope. We are part of one of God’s greatest revelations—that the Kingdom is for all people. That all are welcome at Jesus’ table. He came for all, died for all, and rose for all.
5. Why This Matters Today
– These women model a faith that does not run from pain but walks through it.
– They remind us that God sees and honors the overlooked.
– They teach us that resurrection hope often begins in the quiet courage of those who stay.
Easter is a reminder for us to persevere in faith—even when it feels impossible, even when the world feels like it is crumbling around us. It is about holding on. It is about finding our community, showing up for one another, and trusting that God shows up too. Scripture says, “Where two or more are gathered in my name, there I am among them” (Matthew 18:20). That’s where resurrection begins—in the presence of the faithful. In those small circles of love and courage.
He is found in the midst of those who are overlooked. He is found in the ostracized. He is found in us.
Closing Challenge:
Who are you in this story? Are you willing to remain when things are dark and difficult? Will you bear witness to Christ not only in the joy of resurrection but in the suffering of the cross?
Let us be like these women—brave, faithful, and present.
Amen.
Pastor Alex
🏳🌈 Inclusive Historical-Theologian