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Women as Witnesses

On this Mother’s Day Sunday, Rev. Mary Teague reflected on the powerful witness of the women who first discovered the empty tomb and carried the news of Christ’s resurrection to others. At a time when women’s voices were often dismissed or overlooked, God entrusted them with the message of hope that would change the world. Their story reminds us that courage is often found in simply showing up, remaining faithful, and speaking truth, even when others may not yet understand.

Drawing from Luke’s Gospel, the message explored how God continually works through people the world may underestimate. Women throughout Scripture demonstrated deep faith, trust, compassion, and perseverance, and the resurrection story continues that pattern. The women at the tomb became witnesses not because they held power or status, but because they responded faithfully to God’s presence. Their testimony reminds us that every person has value, every voice matters, and every life can participate in God’s work of renewal and hope.

As a church, we are invited to live as witnesses in our own community by carrying Christ’s love into the world with courage, purpose, and hope. Whether through acts of compassion, encouragement, service, or quiet faithfulness, we continue the work of sharing the good news. The resurrection is not only a story we remember, but a living promise that still shapes how we love and care for one another today.

Take Time to Reflect

• Who has been a faithful witness of God’s love in your life?
• Where might God be calling you to speak or act with courage?
• How can we bring hope into the lives of others this week?

Luke 24:1-12 New International Version

Jesus Has Risen

24 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. ² They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, ³ but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. ⁴ While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. ⁵ In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? ⁶ He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ⁷ ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” ⁸ Then they remembered his words.

⁹ When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. ¹⁰ It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. ¹¹ But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. ¹² Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.