Day 38 - Bitter to Blessed

by Grace Outlaw

Luke 24, Mark 16, Matthew 28

If you know me, you probably know that I love to read. From fantasy and science fiction to mysteries and non-fiction, I’m into it, but one of my favorite things is a good plot twist!

Honestly, I think God loves them too. Throughout scripture God is constantly flipping expectations upside-down, choosing the unlikely, the overlooked, and undervalued to reveal his greatest truths. That’s one of the reasons the story of the women at the tomb is one of my favorites.

We’ve all likely read the passage, or heard a sermon preached on the discovery of Jesus’ resurrection. Early Sunday morning, while the disciples were hiding in fear and despair, a group of women (the three Marys, Joanna, Salome, and ‘others’) set out to anoint Jesus’ body with oils and spices. They had witnessed the horror of his crucifixion, watched as his lifeless body was laid in the tomb, and came to mourn him one final time. (Luke 24, Mark 16)

Plot twist. Instead of their quiet moment of mourning, they encountered the extraordinary. An angel appeared and declared, “He is not here; he has risen!” (Matthew 28:6) These women became the first witnesses of the resurrection – and the first messengers entrusted with history’s greatest announcement.

Now, I want to pause here for a moment and consider: why women? In first-century Jewish culture, women’s testimonies weren’t even considered credible in court! If someone were fabricating this story, they certainly wouldn’t have chosen women to be their key witnesses. Yet God intentionally selected these faithful women for this important role – to be the first to share the gospel!

To understand why this matters so crucially, let’s rewind to another garden: The Garden of Eden. In this garden, Eve became the first to taste the forbidden fruit and share it with Adam. Her actions led humanity into sin and separation from God. But now, in this garden near an empty tomb, God flips the script.

Plot twist. Women become the first to taste redemption’s victory – the resurrection – and are entrusted with sharing this life-giving news with others.

In Eden, Eve carried a message of death to Adam; at the empty tomb, women were commissioned to carry a message of life and redemption to all of humanity! Through this intentional choice, Jesus beautifully restored dignity and purpose to women – affirming their worth and significance in God’s story.

These courageous women faithfully supported Jesus throughout his ministry. They stood by him at his crucifixion when many disciples fled in fear. They were steadfast at his burial and lovingly prepared spices for his body. Their devotion was unwavering, even when hope seemed lost.

Their faithfulness was rewarded beyond understanding. Not only were they first to witness the empty tomb – they were the first to encounter the risen Christ himself! Jesus entrusted them with history’s greatest news: death had been defeated.

Today as we reflect on these remarkable women at the tomb, let’s remember that our God delights in redemption stories. He restores what is broken. He elevates those who have been humbled. He brings healing where there was hurt. Just as Eve’s story didn’t end in shame, but pointed ahead toward Jesus’ victory, so too do our own stories find redemption through him!

Let us embrace our roles as messengers of hope, just like those faithful women who ran from an empty tomb to proclaim that Christ is risen indeed.