The resurrection is the single most important event in all of human history—not just the history of Christianity but all of history. It goes without saying that it’s the central event and most fundamental truth of our Christian faith. But it’s also no exaggeration to say the resurrection formed western civilization. As our faith spread across continents and centuries, a revolution followed, shaping our values, laws, education, art, and ethics in the West. The resurrection of Jesus is the hinge of history on which everything shifted. And our gracious God entrusted that singular, matchless moment to women. It was women who first bore witness to the resurrection of Jesus—the most pivotal moment of all time.
Jesus Included Women in His Mission.
Luke describes how Jesus traveled “from one town and village to another, preaching and telling the good news of the kingdom of God” (Luke 8:1). If you’re not paying attention, it’s easy to miss the countercultural truth in the next sentence. “The Twelve were with him, and also some women…” (vv. 1-2, emphasis mine). Rabbis in Jesus’ day would not have allowed female disciples. No doubt Jesus caused a stir everywhere He went, as the crowds who received Him saw not only the Twelve, but also some women. The inclusion of women was revolutionary.
Luke goes on to tell us that the women with Jesus “had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses” (v. 2). They were: “Mary, called Magdalene (seven demons had come out of her); Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward; Susanna; and many others” (vv. 2-3). What’s more is the women “were supporting them from their possessions” (v. 3). These were women of financial means who accompanied Jesus and the Twelve. They not only learned from Jesus but supported Him and His disciples’ mission.
These ladies weren’t along on the journey to make sandwiches (though anyone traveling with Jesus would be eager to do so for Him and others). They were making the journey happen with their own generous funds. They were an essential part of Jesus’ mission.
Jesus Entrusted Women With His Birth, Life, Death, and Resurrection.
Did you know that women were the only people consistently present at Jesus’ birth, during His ministry, at His death, and at His resurrection?
You likely know the story of Mary, who, though she was a virgin, was entrusted with carrying and delivering Jesus (see Luke 1:26-38). And her aunt Elizabeth, who miraculously carried John the Baptist at the same time and rejoiced with Mary when she visited (see Luke 1:39-56). The prophetess, Anna, who never left the temple, but served God day and night with prayers. Anna was one of the first to meet the Baby Jesus and announce the redemption of Jerusalem through Him (see Luke 2:36-38).
Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and many other women accompanied Jesus during His public ministry. They learned from Him and supported His work. Luke says the women who followed Jesus from Galilee (the same women who had been following Him all along) “stood at a distance, watching these things” (Luke 23:49) when Jesus was crucified.
These same women followed Joseph from Arimathea as he took Jesus’ body off the cross, wrapped it in linen, and placed it in the tomb (see Luke 23:50-55). The women who had learned from Jesus, supported Him, worshiped Him, and grieved His death left His burial to prepare spices and perfumes for His body (see v. 56).
And when they returned to His tomb on that first Easter morning, they found the stone rolled away, “but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus” (Luke 24:2-3). Two angels reminded the women of Jesus’ words when He was alive, that He would be “betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day” (v. 7). They went back and “reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest” (v. 9).
Jesus Sent Women to Proclaim the Resurrection First.
John fills in more details for us, repeating multiple times that Mary Magdalene was crying at the tomb. We can feel her heartbreak. The two angels ask her why she’s crying. She replies that it’s because Jesus’ body has been taken, and she doesn’t know where (see John 20:13). And then stunningly Jesus appears and calls Mary by her own name. She recognizes her Teacher and clings to Him (see vv. 16-17).
It’s a moving scene. Not only has Christ risen, but He is eager to show tender care for His followers. And he starts with Mary, who has been with Him all along. As Mary clings to Jesus, He commissions her. Jesus tasks a woman as the first person to go and tell others that He has risen. Jesus trusts a woman with the proclamation of His resurrection.
Women in the first century were not allowed to testify in court because they were considered unreliable witnesses. They were not allowed to follow rabbis like Jesus, because education was set apart for boys and men. Women in the first century were marginalized in many ways—but never in the presence of Jesus.
Jesus has always valued and elevated women and girls.
As we celebrate Easter, we can also celebrate that Jesus included women in His mission. We can celebrate that He determined women would be present at His birth, life, death, and resurrection. We can celebrate that He sent women to be the first to announce His resurrected life. Jesus sees, includes, trusts, and commissions women.
Oh, what a Savior. Oh, what a Friend. What a gift that women were the first to proclaim, “I have seen the Lord!” (John 20:18)
Sisters, He has seen us, and by His grace, we have seen Him too.
This article originally appeared in the April 2026 edition of HomeLife Magazine.
Very Good: What the Bible Says About Being a Woman
In this 7-session Bible study, Jen Oshman helps you see how God delights in women and calls them to be an essential part of His eternal, redemptive story. Through a careful study of passages in Genesis, the Old Testament law, the Gospels, Acts, and Paul’s Letters, you’ll discover the truth of what God’s Word says about women. Encounter women like Deborah, Esther, Mary, Priscilla, and others, who embraced God’s call on their lives. This study will unveil the joy it is to be a woman, created by God, and living in step with Him and for His glory.
See how very good it is to be a woman.
Get an inside look at the Very Good Bible study with this excerpt.
About Jen Oshman
Jen Oshman is an author, speaker, ministry leader, and sometimes-podcaster. Her passion is connecting what God’s Word says with who we are. She’s especially passionate about equipping women and girls to know who God made them to be!
Before returning to their home state of Colorado in late 2015, Jen served in full-time ministry with her family as missionaries and church planters in Japan and the Czech Republic. When they moved back to the US, they planted Redemption Parker in a suburb of Denver in early 2017. Her four daughters were born and raised on three different continents. The Oshmans love to travel, recreate recipes from all over the globe, and cheer for multiple countries whenever the Olympics are on.
