The Women Who Helped Save Easter

The miraculous, hope-filled story of Easter might have been closer to a Shakespearean tragedy if God had left it up to the men.

Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver and hanged himself. Peter denied Jesus three times. Thomas doubted the Resurrection. And all of the disciples hid fearfully behind locked doors for three days. And when they were told that Jesus had risen, the message “seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe it” (Luke 24:11, ESV).

Almost 2,000 years later, many people still respond with the same doubt. They don’t believe. I’ve even encountered people who have no idea that Easter is about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, not colored eggs and chocolate bunnies.

The hope of the Easter story is revealed, not in the men, but in the women. They were present at Jesus’ crucifixion. They openly visited His grave that early Sunday morning to anoint His body with spices. As a result, they were the first to discover the empty tomb, the first to see Jesus after the Resurrection, and the first to tell the disciples about it.

With Easter just a couple of weeks away, we thought it’d be good to explore God’s precious gifts of forgiveness, grace, and hope through the eyes of Mary of Bethany, Mary of Nazareth, and Mary Magdalene – the women of Easter.

Popular author and speaker Liz Curtis Higgs joined us in the studio to share how these women teach us to worship Jesus with humility, sacrifice, and joy. I believe Christian listeners will have their faith recharged.

Some of you may have been raised to believe that Easter is about cute bunnies and candy. If so, I encourage you to call us here at Focus on the Family at 1-800-AFAMILY (232-6459). We’d love to share with you how you can find peace through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and transform the entire course of your future.

You may also be interested in a free online booklet we’ve written called, “Coming Home: An Invitation to Join God’s Family.” The question of where you’ll spend eternity is too big a question to leave unanswered. If Jesus is knocking on the door of your heart, answer it. Open the door. Invite Jesus in. You won’t regret it.

And don’t forget you can hear our April 3 program, “Encountering Jesus Through the Women Who Loved Him,” on online or on our free phone app.