The Women Friends of Jesus
The sermon highlights the devotion and loyalty of women to Jesus, and how His resurrection brought transformation from sorrow to joy and hope.
J.R. Miller emphasizes the unwavering devotion and fidelity of women in the Gospel narrative, contrasting their loyalty with the betrayal and denial exhibited by men. These women, who had been touched by Jesus' kindness, ministered to Him and were the first to honor His body after His hurried burial. Their journey to the tomb on Easter morning reveals their love and dedication, as they encounter the empty tomb and receive the angelic message of His resurrection. The sermon illustrates how the transformation from sorrow to joy and despair to hope is epitomized in the resurrection of Christ, symbolized by the legend of the crown of thorns turning into a crown of roses. Ultimately, the message highlights the profound impact of women's faithfulness in the story of Jesus.
Text
Woman's devotion and fidelity shine out very brightly in the Gospel story. There is no mention of any woman ever showing unkindness to Jesus. A man denied Him, a man betrayed Him, men plotted to destroy Him, and at last put Him on the cross. But no woman had any part in wronging Him.
There were certain women who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him. No doubt they were women whom He had helped in some way, and in response to His kindness they devoted themselves thenceforward, to personal service to Him. The love of these women appears conspicuously after His death. As the morning of the first day of the week began to dawn, they were eagerly on their way to the tomb of their Friend. Their purpose was to honor His body. The burial on Friday afternoon had been hurried, as the hour was late, and they wished now to lay fragrant spices in His grave. As they drew near in the dim dawn and came in sight of the tomb, they saw that the stone had been rolled away. They pressed on, and, looking in, saw that the body was not there! This greatly perplexed them. As they stood there, however, they saw a vision of angels in dazzling garments. They were awed by the vision--but as they bowed in reverence, the angels spoke to them words of assurance and comfort, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here--but has risen!"
One of the legends tells of the discovery of the crown of thorns and of how it lay on the altar through Passion Week. The people came and looked at it and wept, as they remembered the sufferings of Jesus. Then very early on Easter morning, the priest entered to remove the sacred relic, that the people's hearts might not be saddened by it on the glad Easter day. When he opened the door he found the place filled with a wondrous fragrance. He did not understand it--but as he moved toward the altar, the light was breaking through an eastern window, and as it fell on the crown of thorns he saw that it had been changed to a crown of roses, every thorn a rose. The legend teaches the true Easter lesson. At the broken grave of Christ--sorrow is turned to joy, death to life, darkness to light, despair to hope.
Sermon Outline
- The Devotion of Women to Jesus
- The Women's Purpose
- The Vision of Angels
- The True Easter Lesson
- At the broken grave of Christ--sorrow is turned to joy, death to life, darkness to light, despair to hope
- The angels spoke to them words of assurance and comfort
Key Quotes
“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here--but has risen!” — J.R. Miller
“At the broken grave of Christ--sorrow is turned to joy, death to life, darkness to light, despair to hope.” — J.R. Miller
Application Points
- We can learn from the women's devotion and loyalty to Jesus, and strive to serve Him with the same love and commitment.
- The resurrection of Jesus brings hope and comfort to those who are suffering or in despair.
- We can find transformation and joy in our lives by turning to Jesus and trusting in His power to overcome sorrow and death.