The idea of women being the first witnesses at the tomb seems very strange since women were simply not acceptable as legal witnesses back in biblical times. I, however, find it quite fascinating and refreshing.
First, it makes me realize, more and more, that mere men did not write the Bible since if they did they never would have put this concept of women being the first witnesses in the Scriptures. I believe God didn’t care what we might logically think should be in His word; He put in what He wanted to be there. In Matthew’s genealogy women also play an important role despite what some may think should be there back in first century culture.
And second, perhaps because these women loved Jesus so much, He gave them the privilege of seeing the risen Christ first instead of the twelve disciples who at Jesus’ greatest trial all fled.
I have learned long ago that the Bible, while sharing a simple message of our need to repent of our sins and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, also shares many things that confound our logic and will remain secret to our understanding (Deut. 29:29) until we see Jesus face to face in heaven.
Since the women were the first to be at the empty tomb and see Jesus – this is exactly what God wanted to happen; even if it ruffles our feathers and understanding.
It’s also interesting to note that the sign of the Old Covenant was circumcision, an act restricted to the male only. When we get to the New Covenant, the signs of the covenant, baptism and the Lord’s table, are available to male and female members, displaying God’s free grace to all who come to Him in faith. “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Gal. 3:28