The dedication of the women in scripture to even after the death of Jesus. The woman first going to tomb after the Sabbath to care of the body of Jesus. To finish the burial rituals of that time period. None of the woman that went ever imagined that what would be found was empty tomb. In Matthew 28 it records an earthquake and the stone was rolled back in their presents. The soldiers died at the tomb. Luke perhaps not sure of the events only records that the woman were the first to discover the empty tomb. The first to bring word back to the disciples. Luke also was the first to record the virgin birth. Can not forget at the trail of Jesus by religious leaders the mentioning of who Jesus mother was. The looking from first of the story to the end, can cause one to wonder at the miracle of life from the grave after three days. I can only imagine as the angels rolled the stone away it was a herd of elephants or cattle and the ground shook. Yet it does not say the stone caused the earthquake, only that the women were not strong enough to roll it away on their own.

If I only read Luke’s account of the story much would be lost of the events around the discovery of the empty tomb. It takes all four gospels to see the brilliance of the discovery. The fact that the women were first is only a part of the miracle, for Jesus is clear through scripture of his protective nature over the women in a godly respectable fashion. As the women went to report the story no doubt no one contain the tale. All perhaps talking once like a hens in chicken coop trying to be the first to speak about the empty tomb. Each having a tale. After all one actually seen Jesus in John 20. These stories sound like old wives tales, enough that Peter and the other disciples that were present had to check it out themselves. When they arrive the tomb was empty and linen cloth folded.

The men were not as willing to believe that Jesus was risen. It was the scripture the angels quoted to the women that convinced them, but the men were different. They would need evidence or proof of the resurrection. After all did not Lazarus have a body. Had not Lazarus raised from the dead? Was not Lazarus rising enough to convince the disciples of the possibility? Being with Jesus had to be like walking through daze the shock of events that happened, not fully comprehending the reality of the miracles, signs and wonder that followed Jesus while he walked and taught among them. Yet none of these things prepared the disciples for his death and much less his resurrection. The words Jesus spoke of the temple being destroyed and be rebuilt on the third day was not enough.

The fact remains for many people to believe in Jesus it takes more then the story of the resurrection though without it there is no hope of victory beyond the grave. In truth we all face death unless Christ returns before we die. In truth the victory of eternal life is only seen through the hope provided by God who loved us even after kicking Adam and Eve out the garden of Eden. He continued to chase after the offspring of Eve.

Something to think about all the promises God gave the children of Israel starting with Abraham did not provide exactly as they thought perhaps. For Abraham looked and found the land of promise, but was always moving about, even going to Egypt. Even having a land to bury his people in. The children in the wilderness looking for the promise land but not receiving the land until finding the hope only God could bring and a deeper faith in God.

All promises of God came with reality of what man could see, but not all received the spiritual faith of hope that goes beyond the grave. The hope of after facing the crime of sin, the hope of going home to find a place of paradise beyond the grave. Watching a film on foster care only reminded me of the hope of after facing the horrors of life comes a time of renewal and restoration to the children that are traumatized by abuse. The hope of restoring a person to peace and safety. The children’s world often shattered but the hope of a future by people who give them a helping hand and a home, bring the picture complete of the horror within being healed as best it can.

Seeing Jesus alone will bring healing to many of us who through faith see horror in life without seeing the hope around us. The blindness to all the evil and not being able to see the good because of the darkness. The point being that it takes more then evil for people to run toward the good, there as be light shone and a better way. Children see their friends with hope and wonder why not them, and yet when the removal of the problem begins, the hope beings anew. The horror of the cross could only be healed by reappearing of our Savior in physical form, knowing the hope was for them, so they could carry the message of the Gospel on. See the hope of the Gospel is more then just spiritual redemption but love and joy in the Holy Spirit while we walk in this world designed for destructions. A world that we will not destroy but one our maker will, with the restoration of a better home from above. Jesus brought the emotional healing through the cross to every believer, but they must be able to first receive his hope through the light around them. May the months ahead be a time of healing the wounds in life, of those around us through the gift of love by the Holy Spirit. Let us not wave the food in front of the starving without a way for them to grab hold of the meal. Let us not wave the hope of a future in front of the dying without the hope of Christ. Let us not dangle the string before the cat without him being able to grab hold and play with it on his own. Life is to short not to give hope of what is obtainable in this world. Yet the promise land is only reachable through faith in Jesus/Word of God.

Perhaps God brought the good news of the resurrection first to the woman because the healing for their transgression in the garden would be healed through the hope of eternal life. After all they knew the horrors of the environment around them, not always being first class citizens, or even thought to be equals when it came to their world and man’s world. Yet that is another topic for discussion.

Dear Heavenly Father the unbelievable story becoming real through seeing your Son alive and well, brought the women and other disciples the hope to fight for your kingdom of eternal life. Give each of your children that hope of the resurrection through faith. Not only to believe but grab hold of hope getting past the horrors of the cross. In Jesus precious name, Amen.