On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.

Luke 24:1

These women impress me!  They were the last of Jesus’ friends to leave the tomb on the day of Crucifixion.  All others fled.  They did not expect to find Jesus dead, so they did not have anything to anoint his lifeless body.  That would have been the appropriate thing to do.  It was late when his body was placed in Joseph’s tomb, then closed with a large stone and sealed with a Roman seal to make sure no one tries to get into the tomb, maybe to steal something of worth.  The Roman ruler placed guards at the tomb to make sure no one tried to go in.

The women saw all this.  The sun went down, and Jesus’ body was placed on a cold slab in the newly-hewn tomb. There is nothing they could do.  I suppose, as they returned through the streets of Jerusalem in the dark to where they were staying, they discussed what next, after the Sabbath, of course.  It would not surprise me that they thought of doing what was customary, that is to lovingly anoint Jesus lifeless body as their final deed of love.  As we read the text there is no indication that the women had any idea that Jesus might come alive on the third day and burst out of that tomb.

My mind goes to the disciples who heard most distinctly Jesus telling them, several times, that after three days he would rise from the dead.  It could be that was so incredulous that they did not take it in at all.  In any case they were no where to be found.  No, it was the women who were doing what was expected, prepared to anoint his lifeless body.  Everyone except these women hid or did nothing.  Everyone!

What can I learn from all this?  More than I can say, but I am made aware of the fact that we had better listen to Jesus.  His words are true now and forever.  And we should not be greatly surprised that the main characters in the life of Jesus are not there when he died for them.  Only the women stayed to the end and arrived first on the third day.  My, soul, learn from these women!  When all flee, remain there with Jesus no matter what, through good times and bad.