Matthew, Mark, Luke and John each tell of Jesus’ Resurrection from the dead. However, each of the writers tells a slightly different story from each other. They vary in detail, but the result is the same, Jesus has risen from the dead and is no longer in the tomb. Early Christians did not have a uniform version of what happened after the crucifixion on Good Friday. 

There is one point on which they all agree-the women (Mary Magdelene, Mary the mother of James, Joanna and other women who were among Christ’s followers) were the first to find that Jesus was not in the tomb. The four Gospels have this fact in each version: Mary Magdalene is mentioned in each version although the other women’s names vary.   

They were astounded, confused, sad and maybe angry that Jesus was not where they had laid Him after His death. They were there to perform the cleansing and purification that could not be done on the Friday of Passover. They did not recall the words Jesus spoke throughout His ministry about dying and rising again in three days.  

Admittedly, these statements were not easy to understand. Really? You are not going to stay dead? But return to us three days after you are put to death on a cross? Then what? 

In each version, the women run back to the eleven who were hidden away in fear of what might happen to them, to report what they had seen. The men do not believe them, thinking that it is an “idle tale.”  

But something occurs to Peter, maybe he remembers the information that Jesus gave them just a few days ago. He runs to the tomb to see what is there or not.  

My favorite Gospel of Easter is John’s. In it, Mary Magdalene meets Jesus in the garden but does not recognize Him in His glorified form. She thinks that He is the gardener. She wants to know what he has done with Jesus’ body. 

Jesus gently speaks her name, and she realizes who this gardener is-Jesus. She wants Him to stay but he asks her not to cling to Him as He yet to ascend to the Father, but he will return. He then gives her the assignment to go and tell the others what has happened. Whenever I read this, I rejoice in the responsibility that Jesus gave to Mary Magdalene that first Easter morning. 

He could always depend on the women. And He loved each of them unconditionally, no matter what state they were in, just as He loves you and me today. 

He is Risen, Alleluia! He is Risen, indeed, Alleluia! Happy Easter. 

Terri