The women of Matthew 28:1-10

God values women with pure hearts

1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

The Bible doesn’t specifically say why Mary Magdalene and the other Mary climbed a mountain to go to the tomb of Jesus. Perhaps they missed him, were curious, were sad at his death? Certainly it wasn’t because they wanted anything from the Master. They knew there wasn’t anything Jesus could do for them anymore (at that time, knowing he had died). They surely didn’t bother the long walk despite. They just wanted to be there.

Their labor wasn’t in vain though. They had the honor of being the first few ones to know Jesus was no longer in the tomb and beheld the great sight of the Angel who told them.

2There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
 5The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.

These women are not prominent female figures in the Bible like Ruth, Esther etc. in fact; one of the women in this particular passage is only introduced as “the other Mary” BUT they had the privilege of being in the presence of an angel to receive the news that the LORD has risen. But that didn’t end there, not long after; they met Jesus themselves and were given the task of delivering this good news to the disciples. What an honor for two unknown women!

 8So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

Their faithfulness and longing for the Lord paid off. God considered their hearts.
 

May we, women, realize and always remember that our real strength is our character, the purity of our soul and the genuine kindness and tenderness that emanates from our hearts, and with those, God is pleased.