Jesus Christ’s Mandate for Women in Mission and Ministry (Matt. 28:10)
The celebration of the Mission Week comes to the climax with the great story of Women as the pioneer Evangelists and Missionaries. What started as a mustard seed 2000 years ago is a great story of men and women in Mission. Women have thrived in the midst of oppression, intimidation, suppression, humiliation and tears to Great Evangelist, Ministers and Gospel Preachers.
Women stand on biblical principles and the mandate first by the Angel and then Jesus Himself “do not be afraid. Go and tell my brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see me”. Going does not leave us stunted in the same place, it is a missionary call to step out and tell others about the goodness of the risen Lord. It is because of this Missionary mandate by Jesus Himself that we gather here today to celebrate a great woman Mary Magdalene.
We are here because the doors for Mission have opened in Churches, Schools, Hospitals, Universities, Prisons and we can never cease to give glory to God for what He is doing. Lets us be reminded not to be afraid of what the day holds because the Lord is with us.
Matthew 28:1-10, narrates a story of a morning full of joy and fear as the women moved to the tomb to anoint the body of their friend and great teacher. They were patient to first observe the Sabbath before going to the tomb. Afraid and yet alert not to miss the point of their visit to the tomb. They were determined to pick the whole story Jesus breaks the culture of silence by allowing the women to be the first witnesses.
Legally in court their witness (Deut. 19:5) was not allowed but Jesus entrusted a profound message to women.
Among the Lakota “people are not defeated until the hearts of women are on the ground” the women’s hearts here are not on the ground, they are not defeated despite the Roman threats and cruelty. The strength of these women is admirable.
Matthew records that the women worshipped Jesus signifying that Jesus is the only one worthy of your worship, He is a live, he was not a Ghost, you can touch me, feel me and beyond this point Jesus is the only point of reverence. “Go tell my brothers,” portrays a more intimate relationship as compared to disciple or Master, in great love he had forgiven his disciples, they are brothers irrespective of the rejection he had experienced from them. There is forgiveness on the cross of Jesus.
Mary Magdalene’s story of mission is our story today, our ministry is beyond fear of human beings, but God whom the women bowed their heads in Worship, our Ministry is a Ministry of fidelity to the one who loved us, a friend of sinners, a friend of women, we are to run swiftly as our sisters did (come, see, go, tell). Amen.
The Very Rev. Canon Dr. Rebecca Nyegenye
PROVOST