Day Three: Believe the Women by Lifewords

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THE STORY OF THE DAY THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING

One Friday, Jesus the revolutionary rabbi was led out to die in a state-sanctioned execution. This is the story of what happens next. It’s a story of those who believed and those who could not. It’s a story about the women. And it’s a story that begins at the end …

At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock … Jesus called out with a loud voice … “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last. Some women were there, watching from a distance, including Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James the younger and of Joseph), and Salome. They had been followers of Jesus and had cared for him while he was in Galilee. Many other women who had come with him to Jerusalem were also there. As Jesus’ body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw the tomb where his body was placed. Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to anoint his body. But by the time they were finished the Sabbath had begun, so they rested as required by the law. [Mark 15:33-34,37,40-41; Luke 23:55-56]

Very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. So they went in, but they didn’t find the body … As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes. The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee … that he would rise again on the third day.” Then they remembered that Jesus had said this. [Luke 24:1-3,4-6,7-8]

The women rushed back from the tomb to tell Jesus’ eleven disciples–and everyone else–what had happened. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told them what had happened. But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it. However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened. [Luke 24:9-12]

That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked along … Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. But God kept them from recognising him. He asked them, ‘What are you discussing?” They stopped short, sadness written across their faces …. “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days … to Jesus, the man from Nazareth. “He was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago.” [Luke 24:13-14,15-18,19-21]

“Then some women from our group of Jesus’ followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.” By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey … Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognised Jesus. And at that moment he disappeared! Within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, who said, “The Lord has really risen!” [Luke 24:22-24,28,31,33-34]

The two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them … Just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost. “Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost.” Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he ate it as they watched. [Luke 24:35,36-39,41-42]

Jesus said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. It was also written that this message would be proclaimed … ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ You are witnesses of all these things.” Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. Then they returned to Jerusalem ... When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying. Here are the names of those who were present: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the zealot), and Judas (son of James). They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus. [Luke 24:46-47,48,50-51; Acts 1:12-14]

From the women who were first entrusted with this story, to the small band gathered in an upper room, a worldwide movement grew. This movement transcends nations, race, gender, politics, religion, and borders. It is founded on radical love that offers peace from trouble, freedom from oppression, life from death. Day Three: Believe the Women THE LORD IS RISEN!

Graphic design and illustration by Jadan Reeves-Bassett (jadan.uk)

All Scripture quotations are taken from the New Living Translation ÂŠ 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.

#D3BTW

THE STORY OF THE DAY THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING One Friday, Jesus the revolutionary rabbi was led out to die in a state-sanctioned execution. This is the story of what happens next.

Very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb. Luke 24:1 Day Three: Believe the Women tells the story of the women who followed Jesus – and the day that changed everything. It’s a story of those who believed and those who could not. It’s a story about the women. And it’s a story that begins at the end …