Project Description

2014/03

A Word To Women

“They came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.” (Mark 16:2)

Mark 16 mentions three women who went to Christ’s tomb on resurrection morning – Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome. Mark 15:41 tells us that they “followed Him and ministered unto Him”. They were present at His death (Mark 15:40, Matthew 27:55) and at the tomb when Christ’s body was laid there (Mark 15:47).  These were faithful women; they had followed the Lord and ministered to Him when it was unpopular to do so, when He was despised and hated. It’s no surprise, therefore, to find these faithful followers coming to His sepulchre again, after the crucifixion.

Here were three ladies anxious to do something for the Lord. Note that they came “very early… at the rising of the sun” [verse 2]. We live in days when many people are slow to put themselves out for the Lord, serving Him half-heartedly at best. Some are careless about attending the Lord’s house, finding other things to occupy them on prayer meeting nights. May we always strive to mirror these ladies in their unselfish commitment to Him!

There was a cost involved – they “bought” sweet spices (verse 1) – yet it was their pleasure to do this for their Lord. He had done so much for them. So too, our commitment to the Lord’s work often costs us. It may be difficult finding time, in our busy schedules, for Bible study and prayer; difficult, especially in the winter months, to motivate ourselves to go out week after week to the children’s meeting or on outreach. It isn’t always easy to make time for the necessary Sunday School lesson preparation. But in the light of what the Lord has given for us, ought we not gladly to give all we are and have to Him in return?  David Livingstone, the famous missionary, observed that, “if a commission to obey an earthly monarch is considered to be a privilege, how then can a commission to obey a Heavenly King be considered to be a sacrifice?”
However, when we determine to give our all for Him, we can expect opposition from the devil. That is what these ladies found, as they travelled towards the sepulchre. They fretted and worried over a great problem (verse 3), “who shall roll us away the stone from the door?” You see, they had watched the stone being put there by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus (Mark 15:46-47). Furthermore, Matthew 27:66 tells us that the stone had been sealed.  Can you imagine the conversation between these women? The stone was causing them great concern, they could think and talk of nothing else; they discussed this problem from every angle and conversed about every possible outcome!

But the Lord stepped into the situation. In fact, He had already taken care of the problem (verse 4), for when they arrived at the tomb, “the stone was rolled away”. It wasn’t a big thing for God, who had made the stone in the first place, to move it a few metres from the mouth of the tomb! That seemingly insurmountable problem, which had so occupied their minds, turned out not to be a problem at all!

Then they are given a job to do. The angel tells them “go your way, tell His disciples”. Christ was risen, death was conquered, and Satan’s head was bruised – they were to go and be first to proclaim a risen Saviour!  It was these good, faithful, consistent women who were given this great commission. Never imagine that there is nothing for you to do in the Lord’s work. I’m glad there’s a role for us all to play in the spread of the Gospel. May we involve ourselves wholeheartedly in spreading that good news wherever and whenever we can!

Alison Armstrong