About this series
There is much we can learn about resurrection power from the women of Easter, the women who stood at the foot of the Cross and afar off while the Romans brutalized our Savior. Many of these women traveled with Jesus. Each day brought a new understanding of this man who changed their lives. They walked with hope and confidence, transformed by His love. Imagine the joy each experienced in His presence, watching Him perform miracles, listening to His words, welcoming His unconditional love. Their personal relationship to Jesus compelled them to walk the pathway to Calvary and refuse to leave until watching their beloved friend, shepherd and beloved Rabbi take His last breath. No doubt they wept in one another’s arms as Jesus took on Himself the sins of His people, including mine, including yours. I wonder, what gave them the courage to stay with Jesus? Did they turn their heads, cover their eyes as their beloved friend, the very Son of God, suffered the unspeakable treatment of the Roman soldiers? Did they weep on one another’s shoulders? Can you hear their wails? Did they lose hope as the One Who brought them out of darkness slipped away? Did they question His promises, His Words?
In this devotional series, we walk with some of the named and unnamed women of the resurrection. But first, we will not only envision what drew women to Jesus and why some left their homes and cared for the physical needs of Jesus and His disciples. We will contemplate the power these women experienced even before Jesus was crucified and how we can experience His resurrection power today.
Let’s begin our journey to Easter with the women of the resurrection with a renewed confidence that because Christ the Lord arose, we can experience resurrection power, too.
Guest Writer Melanie Betters: Melanie and her husband Chuck, who is a pastor, have been married for 31 years and have been blessed with four children, two sons-in-law, a daughter-in-law, and six grandchildren. She has served in various ministry and leadership roles, including children/teens, missions, mercy ministries (inner city, homeless, prison), Bible studies, grief support groups, mentoring engaged couples, and acting as stage manager for dramatic musicals. She worked as an administrator and teacher in homeschool co-ops and homeschooled her children for 25 years. She is currently the Head of School for Path2Freedom, where she and her husband also served as House Parents for teen girls rescued from human trafficking. Since losing her mother suddenly at age 16, she has felt called to minister to orphans and now serves on the Board of Happy Life Mission in Kenya.
We have only touched the tip of the iceberg of the lives of the women of the resurrection. Let their stories inspire you to…