When Jesus had risen, early on the first day of the week,
he appeared first to Mary Magdalene,
out of whom he had driven seven demons.
She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping.
When they heard that he was alive
and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
After this he appeared in another form
to two of them walking along on their way to the country.
They returned and told the others;
but they did not believe them either.
But later, as the Eleven were at table, he appeared to them
and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart
because they had not believed those
who saw him after he had been raised.
He said to them, “Go into the whole world
and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”
When Jesus had risen, early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
The stories of Jesus’ appearance after His ressurection are all slightly different among the gospels. But they all have one thing in common, He appears to the women first. Many church fathers even (while it is not said in the bible) piously contend that Jesus appeared to his Mother first, in private, before He appeared to anyone else. This is not a dogmatic belief in the church but it is fitting, and makes sense that a good son would honor His mother in this way.
But in any case the women of the gospels, are often called the apostles to the apostles, because they announce the news to the men. This is a revolutionary thing, that most people in the modern world (of women’s equality), often fail to recognize. The Jewish and christian cultures were both unique in the anchient world, because they raised women to prominence, where other cultures and communities, treated women as property, and did not consider their opinion or input on anything. The judeo/christian God has done more for women and their quality of life than any civil rights worker, or suffragette. This fact is often lost on most modern minds, but the truth of it is undeniable.
Jesus on many occasions singled out women to be his indirect disciples. The woman caught in adultery (Mary Magdelene), Mary and Martha, the woman at the well, and lets never forget his mother, the greatest and most perfect disciple He ever had. There is a humorous anecdote that illustrates the point. It goes like this…, We the faithful of the church are the body of christ, Jesus is the the head, and Mary is the neck, because she moves the head and points the way. The wedding at cana is a good example, Mary simply says “they have no wine,” and then looks at the attendants, and says “do whatever He tells you.” Jesus always does what He thinks is best, but Mary points Him to the things that need his attention. Beautiful!
God always knew that both men and woman had great gifts to offer the world, and he gave them the place and stature they needed to contribute to the story of salvation. This is a really important lesson for us all to remember, especially today. Men and women both have great contributions to make in bringing Gods kingdom to fruition in this world, men should not try to do the things of women, and women should not try to do the things of men. The greatest happiness for all comes from our own full participation in our indiviual response to God’s call for our lives. When we all work together, living in the divine will for our lives, we create a beautiful harmony, a symphony of goodness. This is what God wants for us, we should strive to make it happen.
Oh lord, help me today to hear the truth that you want to tell me today, no matter whom it may come from, and help me to honor the women in my life for the wonderful contribution they bring to my life and your kingdom. Amen.
