EASTER SERMON: FROM TEARS TO TESTIMONY "WOMEN IN THE STORY OF EASTER" (Matthew 28: 1-10)

Women are created for more than just giving birth. God has given women strength—the strength to endure, to keep going, and to never give up, even when others have already lost hope. In moments when everything feels heavy and uncertain, women often remain standing. Not because life is easy, but because God has planted perseverance deep within their hearts. God has also given women patience. This patience is seen in how they care for their families, serving with love even when they are tired, even when their bodies are weak, and even when no one seems to notice their sacrifices. Many women continue to give, even when they themselves feel empty. They keep loving, even when they are hurting. God has given women sensitivity and compassion. With these gifts, they are able to love their husbands and children in every situation—whether in joy or in struggle. Even when their hearts are wounded, they still choose to love. This is not weakness; it is a reflection of divine love working through them. God has also given women strength to support and guide their husbands, especially through difficult times. A woman is not only a companion but also a source of encouragement, wisdom, and protection. Just as a rib protects the heart and vital organs, so a woman often becomes a protector of the emotional and spiritual life of her family. Behind many successful men, there is often a strong and faithful woman who has stood beside them—supporting, praying, encouraging, and believing in them even when they doubted themselves. This does not make women less important, but rather shows how essential their role is. God has also given women wisdom—the ability to understand situations deeply, to respond with care, and to make thoughtful decisions. Women are valuable because both women and men are created in the image of God. This means they carry dignity, purpose, and worth that comes directly from Him.

 

The story of Easter begins with a powerful testimony in the Gospel of Matthew: “After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb” (Matthew 28:1). These women came to the tomb with heavy hearts. They were filled with sadness, grief, and deep loss. The death of Jesus had shattered their hopes. For them, everything seemed finished. The one they loved, followed, and believed in had died. Easter, in its beginning, is not a story of joy—but a story of brokenness. It begins with tears, confusion, and the absence of hope. When someone we love dies, it is natural to feel pain. Loss brings sorrow, and sorrow often brings a sense of emptiness. Hope feels distant. But the message of Easter is this: Jesus is alive. Jesus is the living God who brings hope to those who have lost it. When the women arrived at the tomb, an angel of the Lord spoke to them: “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay” (Matthew 28:5–6). What a powerful moment. The place that was expected to hold death was now empty. The place of sorrow became the place of revelation. The women who came to anoint a dead body instead encountered the truth of resurrection. Their expectations were completely changed. What they thought was the end turned out to be a new beginning. Hope was reborn in their hearts. The darkness they carried was replaced with light.

 

The Bible continues: “So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with great joy, and ran to tell His disciples” (Matthew 28:8). Notice this transformation. At first, they were full of grief. Now, they are filled with joy. At first, they came slowly, burdened by sorrow. Now, they run with urgency and excitement. This is the power of Easter—it transforms lives. It turns sadness into joy, fear into courage, and despair into hope.

Easter is not just an event; it is an experience of transformation. It reminds us that no situation is too dark for God to bring light into it. No heart is too broken for God to restore.

 

Then something even more amazing happens: the risen Jesus meets them. Suddenly, Jesus appears and says to them, “Greetings” (Matthew 28:9). This simple greeting carries a deep meaning. It is a message of peace—what is often understood as “shalom.” It is not just a casual hello; it is a declaration of God’s peace, presence, and restoration. Jesus meets them not in their strength, but in their vulnerability. He meets them in the middle of their confusion and fear. And His presence brings peace. He continues: “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see Me” (Matthew 28:10). Again, Jesus speaks words of reassurance: “Do not be afraid.” Fear is replaced with purpose. The women are given a mission—to share the good news.

 

Jesus tells them to go to Galilee. This is significant. Galilee was not considered an important place. It was seen as a region of the poor, the overlooked, and the marginalized. Yet, it is in Galilee that Jesus began His ministry. And now, after His resurrection, He returns there again. This shows us something important about the heart of Jesus: He stands with the weak, the forgotten, and the humble. He chooses places and people that the world often ignores. This also includes women.

 

In the resurrection story, women are not placed on the sidelines—they are placed at the center. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary become the first witnesses of the empty tomb. They are the first to encounter the risen Christ. They are the first to carry the message of resurrection. In a society where women were often undervalued and not taken seriously, this is revolutionary. God chooses women to be the first messengers of the greatest news in history. This is not accidental—it is intentional. God is showing that women are not secondary in His plan. They are essential. They are trusted. They are honored. The male disciples—the very ones chosen as the twelve—receive the first news of resurrection from these women. This reverses cultural expectations and highlights God’s new way of seeing people. Jesus opened a new path and a new attitude toward women. While He called twelve male disciples, He also welcomed and prepared women to follow Him and participate in His mission.

 

The resurrection places women as pillars of faith. They are not just observers; they are participants. They are not just followers; they are witnesses. They are not silent; they are proclaimers of truth. This is a powerful reminder for us today. The world may not change instantly because of Easter. Problems still exist. Pain is still real. Challenges do not disappear overnight. But Easter changes us. We are transformed into new people. We are given new hope, new strength, and new purpose. Just as the women carried the message of resurrection, we are also called to continue that testimony. To witness about the risen Christ is not only the responsibility of pastors or leaders—it is the calling of every believer, both men and women. We are called to share hope in a hopeless world. We are called to bring light into darkness. We are called to speak life where there is despair.

 

Let us continue the testimony of these faithful women. Let us become witnesses of Christ in our families: through love, patience, and forgiveness. Let us become witnesses in our churches—through service, unity, and faithfulness. Let us become witnesses in our communities—through compassion, justice, and kindness. The message remains the same: Jesus is alive. Because He lives, we have hope. Because He lives, we are not alone. Because He lives, our lives have meaning. Today, we celebrate not only Easter but also the strength and dignity of women. Happy Easter. Amen.

 

 

 

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