Our final encounter between Jesus and a woman in John’s gospel is Mary Magdalene at the tomb in John Chapter 20. She is the only woman whom Jesus addresses by name (v16), and Mary is the only person who calls Jesus ‘Lord’ (v2). There is a significant relationship between the two, and one which we can similarly participate in - we can know Jesus as Lord, and he calls us by name.
Once Mary realises that it is Jesus she is talking to, she exclaims and proclaims the news to the disciples. It is a woman who relays the information to the male disciples. Just as we saw the Samaritan woman share the news of Jesus with all in her town, so we have Mary to thank for passing on the message of the resurrection. Who will you tell about the resurrection hope?
The appearance of Mary at the tomb concludes our journey through a gospel where women are present at key moments, and act as key characters throughout. It is significant that women are the first to see the risen Jesus - a woman’s testimony would not be considered as valid as a man’s, yet the Early Church tells the story through the eyes of women. By doing this, the first Christians follow in Jesus’ footsteps - taking seriously the role of women, and valuing those who are on the fringes.
Emma Higgins
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