Mark 16:7-8: “But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.”

Jesus had spent years training the Twelve to be his messengers. But on that first Easter morning, it wasn’t the Twelve who stood at the empty tomb. It was a group of faithful women. 

The women who followed Jesus spent their time learning from him and providing material and financial support. They weren’t theologians or trained preachers—but they were chosen to carry the most important news the world has ever heard.

“Go and tell,” the angel commanded. That became their calling, their vocation.

God didn’t ask them to pastor congregations or evangelize a pagan tribe in some far-off land. He simply asked them to share the news with people they knew: Jesus is alive.

The women at the tomb—Mary Magdalene, Salome, Mary the mother of James—remind us of the faithful, courageous women in our lives. When Mark said, “They said nothing to anyone,” it’s not a sign of disobedience. Rather, it was an indication that they took their mission seriously, and went straight to the disciples without stopping to tell anyone else.

Every Sunday, I preach to a congregation of retirees, students, dishwashers, homemakers, medical aides, IT professionals and security guards. They aren’t theologians or trained missionaries. But like those first women at the tomb, they’ve been following Jesus for years. They’ve supported the ministry of the gospel and grown in faith.

And like them—and like you—they know the truth: One spring morning, a crucified man walked out of his tomb alive. He died to make peace between God and humanity, to make amends for all the great crimes and small slips committed by every person who ever lived. He rose to promise eternal life to those who trust in him. He is your Savior, your brother, your Lord and your God.

Does it have to be stated that this is not information to keep to ourselves? Does someone need to vote on it before we understand we’ve been called to share that message? 

I believe that it is self-evident for those who may or may not have been looking for Jesus, but he found them when he captured their hearts with his gracious words of love.

And now, like those women at the tomb, he says: Go and tell. 

Nourish your faith between Sundays by reading more of John’s writings at BitsOfBread.org.