4/15/15- The First Witness of the Resurrection

9When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened. (Luke 24)

Thoughts: The first witnesses to the resurrection were women. They were the first ones to tell the good news that Jesus is alive.  That women were allowed to speak the best news ever is an uplifting thing to their gender.  It did not bode well for the disciples that they did not listen to the women.  They were doubtless excited, and hard to understand.  But Peter (and John) ran to the tomb.  Later they would see for themselves.  
     The point of the story is not who gave the message.  Nor is it important exactly how they said the message- apparently they didn't say it well.  But that they said it, and the message began to spread.  The ripple that began the spread of the Gospel started.
     The women could have been so nervous that they wouldn't say anything.  But they did.  They could have thought (rightly) that they weren't trained or good or worthy of speaking this very important news.  They are to be admired for not letting their fear or their pride get in the way of just about blurting out the greatest news ever.  
     We are called to speak for Christ.  None of us are worthy to do so.  There is always someone who could do it better and with more training.  Yet, we are called nonetheless by the risen One to speak. 

Prayer: Lord, give me words to say and a heart to say them.  Bring people to me to listen.