KIT Blog

Through all the chaos of the Easter passion narrative of betrayal, denial, rejection, violence, terror, and despair there is a more subtle, and yet enlightening story; that of the many women who followed Jesus.

While the male disciples are arguing about who is the most important (Luke 22:24), a woman had already been preparing His body for burial, anointing him with oil (eg. Mark 14:1). While Judas prepares to betray Jesus and Peter to deny Jesus (Mark 14), women such as Joanna continue to act as patrons, supporting Jesus financially, and will act as first witnesses of Jesus resurrection to the disciples, despite the disciples disbelief (Luke 24).

In all of this it is not the women’s faith in Jesus, or the men’s lack of faith that is crucial here; it is Jesus love and inclusion of each of them that is important for us to notice. This is the crux of the Gospel story – that by Jesus’ death and resurrection all could be restored to relationship, including those who had been considered by society to be less worthy; Jesus elevates and celebrates them. He does this with children, with women, with people suffering from leprosy, with tax collectors, with prostitutes. And those who have lost their way, like Peter who denied even knowing Jesus, He restores to spiritual health. 

While Easter is about Jesus it is helpful for us to understand that it was those who typically had no power or authority who lead the support network. The woman who anointed Jesus with oil was motivated by love, offering what she could in honour and service to Jesus. Martha offered her home, her sister Mary offered herself as disciple, Joanna her finances, Mary Magdalene her voice as witness to the resurrection of Jesus. Love and inclusiveness, giving back out of what they had been uniquely gifted with so that Jesus would be made known to the world. 

May that be our call this Easter season. In a spirit of love and inclusiveness may we offer that which resonates most closely with the love of Jesus in our hearts and lives. It is through the diversity of gift and blessing, of abundant life that we remember and honour Jesus’ death on the cross. Through His death we have new life. Jesus calls us to live this new life to the full, loving God and others with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength regardless of how the world might see us. 

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” — John 13:34-35