\u00a0<\/p>\n
Shalom. May the name of our Lord Jesus Christ be blessed forever.<\/p>\n
Today, the world commemorates one of the greatest events in history\u2014an event that took place nearly 2,000 years ago: the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the grave.<\/p>\n
However, there is an important lesson we must learn from the circumstances surrounding that day. Before we go deeper, let me briefly take you back so that we can lay a proper foundation. Please follow carefully to the end, because there is a powerful truth you will discover today.<\/p>\n
Two days before Jesus was crucified, He was reclining at the house of a man named Simon the leper. As He was teaching, a woman entered carrying an alabaster jar filled with pure nard\u2014an extremely expensive perfume. She broke the jar and poured it on Jesus\u2019 head.<\/p>\n
Those who were present were deeply offended. They criticized the woman, saying she had wasted something of great value on something unnecessary. Their reaction reveals just how costly that perfume was.<\/p>\n
They claimed it could have been sold for 300 denarii. In biblical times, one denarius was the wage for a full day of labor (see Matthew 20:1\u201315). In today\u2019s terms, that would be equivalent to several thousand dollars\u2014or, locally speaking, about six million shillings.<\/p>\n
This means the woman made a tremendous sacrifice. She may have sold everything she owned simply to honor Christ with the very best she had. And in response, Jesus gave her an eternal reward\u2014her act of love would never be forgotten.<\/p>\n
\nMark 14:3\u20139<\/strong>
\u201cTruly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nWith this foundation laid, let us move forward.<\/p>\n
The Women Who Came to the Tomb<\/h3>\n
After Jesus died and was taken down from the cross, the Bible tells us that women who had followed Him from Galilee watched closely to see where His body was laid (Luke 23:55\u201356).<\/p>\n
They returned home and prepared spices and perfumes, intending to anoint His body. However, because it was the day of Preparation for the Sabbath, they could not go immediately. Instead, they waited until early Sunday morning, after the Sabbath had ended.<\/p>\n
\nMark 16:1\u20133<\/strong>
\u201cVery early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb, and they asked each other, \u2018Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nFrom a practical point of view, their mission made no sense. The body had already been in the grave for three days. The tomb had been sealed and guarded. Humanly speaking, there was no opportunity\u2014and no permission\u2014to do what they intended.<\/p>\n
Normally, the perfume should have been used while Jesus was still alive, as had happened earlier at Simon\u2019s house, or when Mary, the sister of Martha, anointed Him (John 12:3). Alternatively, spices could have been applied before burial, as Nicodemus did to honor Jesus\u2019 body (John 19:39\u201340).<\/p>\n
Yet these women did not count the cost. They prepared expensive spices for a body that had already been buried. This was an extraordinary act of love.<\/p>\n
Love That Moves Heaven<\/h3>\n
Despite knowing the obstacles\u2014the massive stone, the guards, and the apparent futility of their mission\u2014they went anyway. They were fully prepared to \u201cwaste\u201d their precious spices on what seemed like a hopeless cause.<\/p>\n
But because of their selfless love, heaven moved ahead of them.<\/p>\n
When they arrived at the tomb, the stone had already been rolled away. An angel of the Lord was there, waiting for them.<\/p>\n
\nMark 16:6<\/strong>
\u201cYou are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nLater, as they left the tomb, Jesus Himself appeared to them. They worshiped Him, and He entrusted them with a message for the disciples (Matthew 28:1\u201310).<\/p>\n
The Lesson for Us Today<\/h3>\n
There are times when Jesus appears powerful and alive in our lives\u2014and there are times when He seems silent, distant, or even \u201cdead.\u201d Yet we are called to love Him faithfully in every season, with our whole hearts and with all we have.<\/p>\n
Some honored Him while He was alive and were rewarded. Others honored Him when all hope seemed lost\u2014and they became the first witnesses of His resurrection.<\/p>\n
In the same way, there may be moments when God\u2019s work appears lifeless or unfruitful. You may feel that giving your time, strength, or resources is pointless. But in those moments, give anyway. Serve anyway. Love anyway.<\/p>\n
Give your money. Give your energy. Give your service. Even when there seems to be no visible reward.<\/p>\n
If you do, you will be among the first to encounter the power of the risen Christ at work again. He will trust you with a message to carry to others\u2014because you honored Him even when everything looked hopeless.<\/p>\n
Final Encouragement<\/h3>\n
As we celebrate the resurrection of Christ, let us remember this: the first people to see Him were three women whose love refused to give up\u2014even when all hope appeared lost.<\/p>\n
Gospels lived and preached through such godly devotion carry great spiritual power when we apply them to our Christian lives.<\/p>\n
May the Lord bless you abundantly.<\/p>\n
Please share this good news with others.<\/p>\n