The Easter Story, as told by the Women

by Hannah Desouza, Boston, USA

(Editor’s Note: The following is a reprint of an article published on WomenToday.International in April 2020.  The article has been revised to fit in with our 2021 Lent devotional series.)

When I read through the different accounts of the Easter story - as told by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in the Gospels - I find that my attention has always been drawn to the reactions and responses of the women who followed Jesus.

Early on in the Gospels we are told that, along with the 12 apostles, a group of women was also in the company of Jesus: Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, Joanna the wife of Chuza (the manager of Herod’s household), Susana, among others. These were women who had themselves been cured by Jesus; from whom He’d driven out evil spirits and healed of diseases (see Luke 8:1-3). It is evident that, having been rescued by Jesus, they had a loyalty and devotion to Him that ran deep!

It motivated them to not only join Jesus, as He went from town to town proclaiming the Kingdom of God, but even to support Him financially “out of their own means” (Luke 8:3). Leaving Galilee, the Bible says that they accompanied Jesus and the apostles all the way to Jerusalem, a distance of around 70 miles! I can only imagine the conversations, laughter, lessons and memories that were shared along the way. And yet, I can’t help but wonder which of them, if any, had the slightest inclination about what would be waiting for them, and their precious Savior, in the city of Jerusalem. 

Day 1 -- March 19, 2021

Read:  Matthew 27:45-56

Reflect:  The arrest, trial, flogging, crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus Christ takes place so abruptly in the scriptures (in less than one chapter!) and yet for Him, and His followers, I have no doubt it was agonizingly slow. While most of Jesus’ disciples were said to have fled the scene, all four Gospels describe the women as being right there; watching events unfold from a distance. According to John, they were close enough that Jesus was able to utter some words to His mother, and Mary Magdalene alongside her, from the cross! Certainly, they were loyal to Jesus right up until His last moments.

Respond:  It is clear that what united and drove this group of women was their shared love for the man who had rescued them, who had pulled them out of a dark place (for Mary Magdalene it was being possessed by seven demons!) What has a relationship with Jesus rescued you from? And what has that gratitude produced in you? If you have time, consider writing a letter to Jesus this Easter, thanking Him for all the ways in which He has rescued you.

Day 2 -- March 20, 2021

Read:  Matthew 27:57-61

Reflect:  After Jesus’ body is wrapped in linen cloth and placed inside the tomb by Joseph of Arimathea, we are told that Joseph leaves after ensuring a stone is rolled in front of the entrance. And yet, Matthew tells us that the women still remained: “Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb” (Matthew 27:61).

The Bible is often sparing in details and yet I couldn’t help but be moved by this simple statement. It got me wondering what they might have been thinking or feeling as they sat there, opposite the tomb of their precious teacher and Lord. Were they confused, perplexed at how the man whose tremendous power they’d witnessed was now lying meters away from them, motionless? Were they in shock, in disbelief that it would end this way? Or perhaps they simply wept together in silence.

Death certainly feels very real to us all right now, as our world is wrestling with the devastating effects of this virus. At times it might feel like we too are sitting helplessly outside a tomb, grief-stricken, confused about what God might be doing in the midst of all of this.

Respond:  Like Mary, sitting helplessly outside Jesus’ tomb after His burial - is there a situation in your life right now that feels hopeless, in which you are unsure of the outcome? It might be our current pandemic, or perhaps something more personal to you. How might God want you to trust and hold onto Him during this time of uncertainty?

Day 3 -- March 21, 2021

Read: Mark 16:1-3

Reflect:  After adhering to the Sabbath, the women are seen heading back to the tomb at the earliest possible moment. The sun has not yet risen and their arms are laden with spices. I love the dialogue that takes place between them on the road as it suddenly dawns on them, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” (A stone that historians believe would have weighed between 2,000-4,000 pounds, or the same as a small car!) Something tells me the women were led by love and not necessarily logic...

Respond:  Their love for Jesus prompted the women to go to the tomb even though they were unsure of who would roll the stone away. Through similar love and faith, we can love, serve and share our faith with others even though we don’t know all the how’s and the what’s.  Describe a time in your life when you were facing a seemingly immovable “stone” or obstacle that God rolled away for you. Praise Him for His amazing power, grace and mercy! 

Day 4 -- March 22, 2021

Read:  Mark 16:4-8, Matthew 28:18

Reflect:  ...And yet, in the Easter story, truly it is love and not logic that triumphs. “He has risen!” are the words of the angel who greets them at the empty tomb. Three words that have shaken and divided humanity, words that have forever changed the course of history. Like the women, I too would have been “trembling and bewildered.” 

Respond:  Meditate on the impact of these words: “He has risen!”  That means Jesus has overcome death! He has all power and authority (Matthew 28:18).  How does that fact affect your boldness?  Your perseverance and resilience?  Your godliness?  Your generosity?  (What other areas of your life could you consider?)

Day 5 -- March 23, 2021

Read: John 20:11-17, Hebrews 1:1-3

Reflect:  This exchange between Mary Magdalene and the risen Jesus is a moving one, and shows the closeness of their relationship. Significantly, it is when Jesus says her name that the veil is finally lifted, and it dawns on Mary whom she is speaking to. Perhaps no other man spoke her name with such tenderness and compassion, which is what made Jesus instantly recognizable to her.

Overcome by emotion she cries out, “Rabboni!” Teacher! I get the impression that Mary threw herself at Jesus in excitement as we are told that His next words are, “Do not hold on to me.”  And who can blame her? She had come to the tomb expecting to anoint His bruised and battered body. Instead, she had found it empty and his body very much alive, calling out her name! Oh how I wish I could have seen this moment and witnessed the women’s expressions as it hit them that their Jesus was alive! Centuries of prophecies about the suffering and victorious Messiah had been leading up to this very moment in which they now stood!

Respond:  With so many “voices” coming at us each day through social media, the news, and more, it can be difficult sometimes to recognize the “voice” of Jesus.  Take some time today to read all or part of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).  Pick one verse to memorize. 

Day 6 -- March 24, 2021

Read:  Matthew 28:9, John 20:17-18

Reflect:  The Easter story is powerful, it is glorious, it is intimate. It is the Gospel, the good news! The very heart of Christianity. If you are not a Christian today, one of the most important things you can do is research it for yourself to see if it is true (I would recommend The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel as a good starting point). And, if you are a believer, the miracle of the risen Christ is to be celebrated, treasured, but not kept to ourselves! 

The Gospel of Matthew says that Mary Magdalene and the other Mary simply “clasped his feet and worshipped him” (Matthew 28:9). I’m sure I would have held onto His feet extra tightly too, to make sure He wasn’t going anywhere! Yet Jesus, amused (I am sure of it) and full of tenderness, replies:

"Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" (John 20:17)

Respond:   Mary’s response upon seeing the resurrected Jesus was to clasp His feet and worship.  In what ways can we “clasp Jesus” and worship Him today?  Spend some time today in worship of our Risen Savior, whether it’s through songs of praise, prayer, fasting, poetry, or service to others.

Day 7 -- March 25, 2021

Read:  Matthew 28:8-10, John 20:17-18, John 11:40

Reflect:  In all of the Gospel accounts we see Jesus urge Mary and the women, now that they have witnessed the greatest miracle in human history, to go and share it! Which Mary promptly does, letting go of her Savior and sprinting to find the other disciples, exclaiming “I have seen the Lord!” (John 20:18). 

People have often marvelled at the fact that, at a time in history when the testimony of a woman was not even valid in a court of law, Jesus chose to entrust the precious message of His resurrection to women! Did God specifically choose Mary and the women to be the first witnesses of the resurrection? Truthfully, I don’t know the answer to that. However, what I am sure of is that if you stay close to Jesus it is inevitable that you will see miracles.

The women’s devotion to their Lord was evident; their love for Him drove them to the foot of the cross, to His burial, to the tomb before sunrise and, finally, to the scene of the resurrection. I am reminded of Jesus’ words to another two women, just before He brought their brother back from the dead, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” (John 11:40).

Friend, stick with Jesus! Stay close to Him and I promise you, you will witness miracles. You will watch despair become hope, defeats turn into victories, and death become life!

Respond:  In all four Gospels it is clear that God wanted the miracle of Jesus’ resurrection to be shared and spread. Who in your life do you think the Spirit is prompting you to share this good news with? I want to encourage you to find a friend today with whom you might share Jesus’ message of hope!