“The best thing that every happen to Women”

November 26, 2013

Matthew 28:1-10

As non-Jews, we need to read and observe the non-Western world to see how Jesus Christ made a difference in the lives of women.  It only requires one visit to any Islamic country to see what rights are denied to women.  In most of those countries, like Saudi Arabia, women are barred from driving an automobile, must be veiled in public, and the husband has the right to beat, sexually abuse, and desert his wife, all with the support of the Koran.  What a contrast to the teaching of Scripture, where the apostle Paul tells men to love their wives just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her.

In ancient Greece, the poets equated women with evil, and girls were not allowed to attend school.   The wives in that time were on the same level socially as a slave.  A Jewish woman was barred from public speaking and the Synagogue worship was segregated.  The Roman wife was absolutely under the control of her husband; he had the power of life and death over her.  (Thoughts taken from “The best thing that every happen to Women” by Sue Bohlin)

The paragraph above is of importance because when introducing these first ten verses of chapter 28, the answer lies in the value of women in that culture.  “Since the ancients did not view women as trustworthy, a writer who made up an account designed to convince readers of Jesus resurrection would not have made women the first witnesses of the resurrection.  That Matthew included the women confirms that he was faithful to record actual events, even if they would be seen as discreditable by society.”  (HCSB page 1671 footnote 28:1)

“Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”  (Matthew 28:1-10)

Did you get what the angel said; He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.  Are you wondering where Jesus said these things?  Matthew 12:40, “For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”   This account is given in Matthew 16:21, “From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”  Matthew 17:22-23, “As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were greatly distressed.”  This is from Matthew 20:18-19, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”

My prayer is for those who have not believed, that you will look at the evidence and ask the Spirit of Truth to open your heart and mind to the cross and the price that was paid for your redemption.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice