Easter Vigil, 2002 -- Susan J. Barnes
Matthew 28:1-10 -- St. Matthews, Austin

I. The women had always been there--along with the men. They followed him from the very beginning of his ministry, and they followed him to the end. They stood beside him in horror and misery as he was crucified, and watched as he was quickly entombed before the Sabbath. Now, at the first possible moment, they were rushing to the tomb--to minister to the dead body of their friend and teacher, Jesus, as he had ministered to them when he was alive.

II. They women had always been there, because Jesus graced them. Jesus included them as no man ever had. Jesus treated them--Jew and Gentile alike--with the same respect and dignity that he did all people--from the most powerful to the least.

At first the women couldn't believe it! Jesus touched and healed them. He sat with them. He taught them about God's love and forgiveness--he made them know that it was real. Timidly, at first they held back among the crowds of followers. By rights they should not even be there. Like the lepers and other unclean people whom Jesus welcomed, the women felt that they had no place. But Jesus reached out to them. And they could not resist the power of this teacher. So they came back day after day. Rich and poor, Gentile and Jew; they came back to listen. They began to travel everywhere with him. They brought their friends. Like draught-parched earth, they drank in his words. "The last shall be first."

At first the men were confused at their presence--even hostile. The women understood. It was uncomfortable for them, too. But slowly, Jesus made it all right. His peace filled them all and dissolved the boundaries that society had built between them. They became disciples together.

Jesus empowered the women to share God's love and forgiveness with others. Like the men, the women had gone out among the seventy—they had healed and taught in his name. They had witnessed many miracles.

III. Like the men, the women had heard Jesus say that he would be betrayed, that he would be killed and would rise again. Like the men, they did not really understand what that meant; they refused to take it seriously.

Then he was arrested and tried. Instinctively, the men had fled--fearful of being caught and killed themselves. The women understood. But different from the men, they had stayed. They did not
feel at risk. Non persons were no threat to the officials. Besides, they had to do what women do instinctively. They had to gather together; to grieve; to wait; to care for their fallen Lord.

IV. So, on Sunday, still numb with shock and sorrow, they came to the tomb at the earliest possible moment: even before daybreak. At first, they couldn't believe their eyes: the angel in dazzling white; the sleeping soldiers; the heavy stone rolled aside; the empty tomb. At first, it didn't make sense. Then they remembered Jesus words. It was true! He had risen. Even before the angel told them what to say, they were rushing to share the news with the men, who where
despondent, in hiding. So excited were they, they stumbled as they ran, filled with joy and amazement. How could this have happened? What did it really mean? They did not know how to explain it to themselves. How could they explain it to the men? Had they imagined it? Would the men believe them?

Jesus did not leave them to wonder any longer. He appeared to them himself. The resurrected Lord came to show them that the ultimate miracle had happened. Through his resurrection God had triumphed over death—for them and for all human kind. He was alive. He was going to Galilee to meet them and all the other disciples.

Jesus had graced the women one last time. He rewarded their faithfulness. And he made good on his promise. For all time it would be told that the women--the last—were the first to whom the risen Lord had come.