The first question today is this; Jesus had chosen 12 men to follow him throughout his ministry. Why then was Mary the first one that he appeared to after he had risen from the grave?
Jesus certainly valued women. He loved his own mother.And he wanted to make sure she was looked after, once he was dying on the cross. Much of his ministry was about showing mercy to those that had sinned, as with the woman at the well and the woman caught in adultery. There were women that had traveled with Jesus and his disciples supporting them financially and serving where they could. And some of these same women were with him at his crucifixion..
Let's face it, that time in history held little regard for the women of the day. It was a "man's world," if you will. And yet the four gospels, written by men gave their account by which women were the first that Jesus went to after he had been resurrected that day. Perhaps, written by any other men, they wouldn't have told the truth about this? Maybe.
But it had been related in the gospels. By men. It could not be disputed because it was the truth.
And, there is one thing we know. When Mary went to tell the disciples that Jesus had risen, what were their responses?
It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James and other women that were with them which told these things to the apostles (that Jesus had risen from the dead) and their words seemed to them as idle tales and they believed them not. Luke 24:10-11
Aren't women often linked to gossip? It reminds me of seeing early tv programs years ago, where you would see 2 women in their back yards standing with a fence between them, chewing over the recent neighborhood stories about someone or other.
And in this account, that is what it really alluded to. Idle stories among the women. And yet, the apostles should have really expected it. Jesus had told them all along, that this was going to happen. Why didn't they believe it had?
Jesus went above and beyond what society thought about their women. And those women had the faith that led them to him as being the first ones to see that he was alive again. They didn't have to see nail prints or put their hands in his side to know he was their Lord. They just knew for a fact that he was.
As for the disciples, do you think that once they did realize it was Jesus, maybe they were embarrassed a bit? Maybe, But more then likely were they that they became just so thankful that he was there. Among them. With them. Loved by him. Called by him. Forgiven by him.
Their friend Jesus. He was Lord. He was their friend. He was indeed who he said he was. God's Son.
Hello Friends. Thanks for coming by today. There is more about Mary Magnalene and why perhapes she wasn't believed when she went to find the disciples. We will take a look at that the next time. Have a very blessed day!
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