I can imagine how breathless and scared the women must have been as they made their way to the tomb that early Sunday morning. The night before, after Sabbath ended, they’d purchased spices for Jesus’ body, which was now in Joseph of Arimathea’s tomb. They’d watched His crucifixion from a distance and had followed those carrying His body so they’d know which grave He was in. With the sun barely up, they warily crept along, watching for grave robbers or other thugs who would not want to be discovered pillaging a tomb in this wealthier grave area.

What drove the women out at this early hour? All the way they’d discussed the hurdles they faced. How would they manage to roll the stone that sealed the entrance to the tomb out of the way? Would there be a gardener or some other mourner nearby who could help them? Only one thing drove them forward—the same thing that had prompted Mary of Bethany to lavish that expensive bottle of pure nard on Jesus as He sat in her house just days before His arrest—a heart devotion that went way beyond religious duty. The kind of love that declares, “Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy [as] unyielding as the grave. … Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away” (Song of Songs 8:6–7).       

The love for Jesus these women felt obscured everything else. They didn’t think about the financial expense of buying the spices or the inconvenience, danger, and seemingly impossible obstacles involved in anointing Jesus’ body. They simply wanted to be with Him and in some tangible way express how important He was to them.

They knew He was dead, and that His body was already decaying. The spices would only mask the odor for a short time. So why waste their time and energy? Why expose themselves to the pain and sorrow of seeing His body in such a condition? After all, the twelve men who had followed Him for three and a half years were not here … they were hiding in fear.

But nothing could deter them. For the grieving women, Jesus was far more than just their rabbi. Because of Him, their lives had been forever changed. As Luke records, some had been cured of evil spirits and diseases by Jesus. The Mary called Magdalene, in fact, was delivered from seven demons (See Luke 8:2). He’d touched all their lives in significant ways. And they weren’t ready to let all that go—they wanted to serve Him one last time.

So they hurried on, never dreaming what they would encounter when they reached His tomb. “When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. ‘Don’t be alarmed,’ he said. ‘You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, “He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you”’ Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb.” (Mark 16:4–8)

How beautifully ironic that the Twelve would hear the Good News of the resurrection first from women, who likely were appreciated for their financial and physical help but were not considered credible witnesses in spiritual matters. Only after two of the disciples ran to check it out for themselves did the group believe the tomb was empty.

Another great irony is this: The women’s devotion to Jesus had drawn them to the cross and the tomb—the most heartrending and repulsive events of His earthly ministry—and yet it was there, in those places of deepest sorrow, they discovered how truly glorious He is. Jesus was master over even death itself!

Perhaps the most touching detail of their resurrection experience is recorded by Matthew. “The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. They ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him” (28: 8–9, NLT). What an amazing reward for their devotion! When they saw Him, they fell at His feet in worship. One day this will be our privilege as well.

We are two thousand years beyond their eyewitness account, but we can still learn so much from it. If we will follow Jesus with wholehearted and loving devotion, as these women did, we will discover so much more about His majesty, power, and glory. If we will seek Him for who He is, not for what we “get” from Him, we too will be “eyewitnesses to His majesty” (2 Peter 1:16).  

We need not wait until we get to heaven to adore Him. We can begin right now by seeking out ways to honor and serve Him. Sometimes our service will require us to be in unpleasant and painful circumstances. We may think we’re heading to something that suddenly becomes something else altogether. Ironies will abound and we’ll often wonder if we understand anything about the Kingdom. But none of that matters when you’re in love. You just want to be with your beloved, no matter what’s happening. Faithful witnesses share freely with others what they have seen and heard. They continue to trust and serve Him despite the pain they endure, and they eagerly seek ways to show how important He is to them.

Like these worshipers, are you sometimes heartsick for His presence? Do you continue to pursue Him even when you’re perplexed, frightened, or bowed down with grief? By pressing on, they became the first witnesses to His resurrection. His appearance reassured them that all He had promised would come to pass. “Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live” (John 14:19). Their relationship with Him was not over … the grave had not robbed them of His love and presence. They would spend eternity with Him … and we will too! The best part? This resurrection life begins right now for those who love Him.  

Lord Jesus, thank you for loving me all the way to the cross. Help me to value my relationship with you—to see you as my highest priority and my greatest delight. I want to become more like you, Lord, so I invite you to speak into my life today through your Word and Spirit. Change me by your resurrection power! As I seek a deeper and deeper love relationship with you, help me discover new ways to serve you every day. I want to be your lovesick and faithful witness! Amen.