(a) Narrate the Synoptic account of the Resurrection of Jesus, bringing out the role played by the women. (b) In what two ways is the Resurrection significa...

Answer Details

(a) The Synoptic account of the Resurrection of Jesus and the role of the women (Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24)

Very early on the first day of the week, when the Sabbath was past, certain women came to the tomb bringing spices which they had prepared, in order to anoint the body of Jesus. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, Salome (in Mark) and Joanna and others (in Luke).

• Concern about the stone: On the way they wondered among themselves who would roll away the great stone from the door of the tomb, for it was very heavy.
• The stone rolled away and the empty tomb: When they arrived they found the stone already rolled back and the tomb open. On entering, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
• The angelic message: They saw an angel (Matthew describes an angel whose appearance was like lightning who had rolled back the stone; Mark, a young man in a white robe; Luke, two men in dazzling apparel). The angel said, "Do not be afraid; you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples and Peter that he has risen and is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him."
• The women as first witnesses and messengers: The women, with fear and great joy (and in Mark, trembling and astonishment), departed quickly from the tomb to bring word to the disciples. They became the first to hear the good news of the resurrection and the first to be commissioned to announce it.
• The appearance of the risen Lord to the women: In Matthew, Jesus himself met them on the way, greeting them; they came, took hold of his feet and worshipped him, and he told them not to be afraid but to go and tell his brethren to go to Galilee, where they would see him.

The role played by the women was therefore central: they were faithful in coming to honour the body, they were the first to discover the empty tomb, the first to receive the angelic announcement of the resurrection, and the first to be sent to proclaim it to the apostles.

(b) Two ways the Resurrection is significant to the Christian faith

• It confirms that Jesus is the Son of God and Saviour: The resurrection vindicated all his claims and teachings, proving his victory over sin and death; without it, as Paul says, Christian preaching and faith would be in vain.
• It gives believers the hope of eternal life and their own resurrection: Because Christ rose, those who believe in him are assured of forgiveness, new life, and resurrection to eternal life; it is the foundation of Christian hope and the guarantee of triumph over death.