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the first witnesses

Mark 16:1
"And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him."

We are continuing to study Women of Faith in the Holy Bible! The contribution of women to Christianity is beyond measure! As we studied Mary, the Mother of Jesus, we saw that she is arguably one of the most blessed person ever! If we will examine her life, we realize that it was not always easy. The blessings that GOD bestowed on her also gave her extreme challenges. Of note are the times that her own Son predicted His brutal future. How did this effect Mary when she heard it? Did it prepare her for living through it? Without a doubt the Holy Ghost came to her and helped her through the toughest times.

Today we turn the pages to the Gospel of Mark to read the record of another tough time. This is after the crucifixion. It seems like no one among Jesus's followers is even remembering that He predicted His death AND RESURRECTION. It seems like they are all in shock and their thinking is clouded with grief. And, we need to keep in mind that everything unfolds as GOD plans it. We should not underestimate the importance of these women being the FIRST witnesses to Jesus's resurrection. At the time of the resurrection women were not permitted to be legal witnesses. If the Disciples had planned these events and wanted credibility with the society at the time, they would NOT have made women the FIRST people at the tomb. Additionally, this reminds us that GOD'S ways are all too often the opposite of the world's ways. Here our LORD radically affirmed the full dignity of women and the vital value of their witness.

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