The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.

Luke 23:55-56

The devotion of the women, including Jesus’ mother, is admirable.  They stayed at the crucifixion site until Joseph of Arimathea placed the lifeless body of Jesus in his own newly hewn tomb.  The sun was setting on that fateful day.  The women marked the tomb in which the body was placed, then sorrowfully walked to the place they were staying in Jerusalem, no doubt weeping.

Normally, at the death of a Jew, the family and friends anointed the body with special ointments used only for burial.  This did not happen for Jesus.  Not only was there not enough time but no one came with ointment!  Acutely aware of that, the Galilean women took upon themselves the task of anointing Jesus’ body as soon as they could.  But not on the next day, the holy Sabbath.

Let’s pause a bit at this point.  John was apparently with them as Jesus died but what of James, Matthew, Peter and the disciples and followers?  Gone!  What of those he healed, helped, saved?  They were nowhere to be found. Only those four Galilean women stayed to the end.  That was it. All others vanished.

At this point all is a blur.  The disciples who lived with Jesus and who ministered in his name and power deserted him.  The enemies of Jesus – Jews and Romans – were pleased that he was now dead.  There is no more desolate figure than the body of Jesus alone in a cold tomb!  Dead.

What would I have done?  I have no idea, but I do know that, by the grace of God, I believe, with all my heart and mind!  Jesus did all that for me, and you.  We can add nothing, just believe.  Can we renew our vows to follow Jesus forever even though all others despise him?  Yes, and we do.  That is the best way to celebrate the Easter events.