“When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, ‘Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?’” Mark 16:1-3
“Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance…and saw two angels in white…she turned around and saw Jesus standing there.” John 20:1, 12a, 14a
In Luke 8:2, we are introduced to some of the women who accompanied Jesus throughout his ministry, going all the way to the cross and tomb for him.
It is easy to see the love these women had for Jesus. They were often by his side as Jesus ministered in the villages of Galilee and Judea. They were at the cross watching from a distance as Jesus was crucified. In their grief, they paid close attention to where Jesus’ body was laid in a tomb.
It is easy to see the devotion these women had for Jesus. They prepared the customary burial spices to anoint Jesus’ body and minister to him in his death. And as soon as the observance of Sabbath was complete, just at sunrise, they set out for the tomb.
But, do you see their faith? “Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). These women set out with no fear and no doubt. In faith, early on the first day of the week, they returned to a sealed tomb with spices in hand in order to anoint Jesus’ body. It doesn’t make sense without faith. On the way, they even asked, “Who will roll the stone away,” but it did not stop them from going. And when they arrived, they looked and saw the stone was rolled away!
Do you set out in this kind-of faith? Do you ever do the illogical with unanswered questions in mind?
The women walked in faith on the way to practice an act of love and devotion, and they saw miracles and angels and their risen Savior!
Prayer: Dear Jesus, I ask for this kind-of faith. Help me to realize that I do not always have to understand God’s way, but to simply trust and go. In Your precious name, Amen.
