Easter - Day 03
Day 03: Wednesday, April 05
Read Matthew 27:55-61
Highlight
John is the only disciple who records his own eye witness account of Jesus’ death (John 19:35-36). None of the other disciples are mentioned as being present at the cross (we’ll consider where they were in our reading tomorrow) although all the accounts record that there were a multitude of followers who were there as witnesses. Notably, all four Gospels record that several key witnesses of Jesus’ final moments and his burial were women. We know that throughout Jesus’ life many women followed him and supported his ministry. His interactions with women are well documented, likely because they were so unusual.
Women were restricted in many ways under Jewish law including their access to the Scriptures, to the temple or synagogues and to teaching or even public interaction with any man or rabbi. So there is a stark contrast when Jesus is unconstrained in his interactions with women. He welcomes their questions (John 4), protects them from religious condemnation (John 8:1-11), heals them and honors their faith (Luke 8:2; 43-38), and encourages them to sit under his teaching (Luke 10:38-42). And of course, as we see later, it is women that he appears to first after his resurrection (Matt. 28:1-10).
So while it might have seemed unusual at the time for the Gospel writers to cite women as primary witnesses of the events that take place after Jesus’ death it should perhaps come as no surprise to us that Mary (Jesus’ mother), her sister and Mary Magdalene are listed alongside Joseph of Arimathea as witnesses to his burial. While surely all of Jesus’ followers must have been wondering if they too were in danger of being captured or killed, it’s clear that the women who found hope and transformation through Jesus’ life still believe that the safest place to be is as close to him as possible at his death.
Reflection
Every passage in the Bible, including the one you just read, is “...inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” 2 Timothy 3:16
Prayer
Let the passage we just read guide your prayers. Use the acronym ACTS.
Adoration - Praise God for the truth this passage communicated about him.
Confession - Confess to God the thing that this passage showed you is wrong in your life.
Thanksgiving - Thank God for what this passage taught you was true about you and for the ways He is already helping you to do what is right.
Supplication - Ask God for help to do what this passage teaches to do and accomplish the good works he has for you.
Read Matthew 27:55-61
Highlight
John is the only disciple who records his own eye witness account of Jesus’ death (John 19:35-36). None of the other disciples are mentioned as being present at the cross (we’ll consider where they were in our reading tomorrow) although all the accounts record that there were a multitude of followers who were there as witnesses. Notably, all four Gospels record that several key witnesses of Jesus’ final moments and his burial were women. We know that throughout Jesus’ life many women followed him and supported his ministry. His interactions with women are well documented, likely because they were so unusual.
Women were restricted in many ways under Jewish law including their access to the Scriptures, to the temple or synagogues and to teaching or even public interaction with any man or rabbi. So there is a stark contrast when Jesus is unconstrained in his interactions with women. He welcomes their questions (John 4), protects them from religious condemnation (John 8:1-11), heals them and honors their faith (Luke 8:2; 43-38), and encourages them to sit under his teaching (Luke 10:38-42). And of course, as we see later, it is women that he appears to first after his resurrection (Matt. 28:1-10).
So while it might have seemed unusual at the time for the Gospel writers to cite women as primary witnesses of the events that take place after Jesus’ death it should perhaps come as no surprise to us that Mary (Jesus’ mother), her sister and Mary Magdalene are listed alongside Joseph of Arimathea as witnesses to his burial. While surely all of Jesus’ followers must have been wondering if they too were in danger of being captured or killed, it’s clear that the women who found hope and transformation through Jesus’ life still believe that the safest place to be is as close to him as possible at his death.
Reflection
Every passage in the Bible, including the one you just read, is “...inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” 2 Timothy 3:16
- What in this passage did the Spirit bring to light for you?
- What are you going to do in your life to respond to this passage?
Prayer
Let the passage we just read guide your prayers. Use the acronym ACTS.
Adoration - Praise God for the truth this passage communicated about him.
Confession - Confess to God the thing that this passage showed you is wrong in your life.
Thanksgiving - Thank God for what this passage taught you was true about you and for the ways He is already helping you to do what is right.
Supplication - Ask God for help to do what this passage teaches to do and accomplish the good works he has for you.
Posted in Easter 2023