From Ben – 17 April 2022
As I have spent time studying and reflecting on the whole Easter drama and the people who participated in this, the greatest drama in history, I have been struck by the vital place played by the women, who often go unnamed. The 12 disciples are named and dominant, but the women play a vital part in the whole saga, remaining on the margins.
It starts way back with Mary, who anoints Jesus with precious perfume at the meal and so prepares Him for the sacrifice of the cross. On His way to the cross on Good Friday, Jesus at one point stops to speak to a group of women. While Jesus is on the cross, it would seem that as those long painful hours dragged on, the disciples all left, but the women remained. They never left but were even there when the limp body of Jesus was removed and hastily laid in a nearby tomb.
They noticed that His body was not properly prepared with adequate spices, so they returned at break of day on Easter Sunday. The disciples were nowhere to be found. A large group of ladies went to the tomb and met the risen Christ first. They were sent to find the hiding disciples and tell them the good news of the resurrection of Christ.
As I reflected on all this, I am aware that we do not need to be named and noticed to be useful to the Lord. We just need to be humble and available. This Easter, ask the Lord to use you in any way He chooses and be prepared to be unmentioned and unnoticed. Yet it is enough to be used by Him and for His glory.