The third Sunday following Pascha is dedicated to the Myrrbearing Women, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus who buried Jesus. It was the Myrrhbearing Women who anointed the body of Jesus, with faith, courage and devotion.
The two men, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus took great risk as members of the Jewish aristocracy to ask Pilate for the body of Jesus who was condemned by the Sanhedrin, while the known disciples scattered and went into hiding for fear that they also would be arrested. Joseph even buried Jesus in his own tomb which was located in the garden. He and Nicodemus spared no expense wrapping the body of Jesus in fine linen giving him a royal funeral.
The Gospel for this Sunday Mark 15:43-16:8 explains the taking down of the body of Jesus when the centurion informed Pilate that he was already dead. It is generally accepted that both Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were referred to as “secret disciples”.
The Myrrhbearing Women were among the most faithful followers of Jesus, supporting Him in His ministry, along with the disciples, an unusual occurrence in ancient Jewish culture. Women, you see, were usually restricted to domestic duties and did not have full access either in the Temple or the Synagogue.
It is indeed true that Jesus did not choose any Women to be among His disciples but we must remember that it was the women with John the Divine who stood by Jesus in His darkest hours not fleeing like the other disciples. They were present at His crucifixion and observed where He was buried. In the early morning they came to anoint His body with precious spices; however, to their joyous amazement they were the first to discover the empty tomb and the first to encounter the Risen Jesus. It is true to say they came to anoint Jesus but were anointed themselves with everlasting life! Thus both Joseph and Nicodemus shared a willingness to serve Christ and despite grave danger to themselves, had the courage to serve His last earthly needs.
On this Feastday let me congratulate the Sisterhood of the Holy Myrrhbearers of our Church on their Patronage Feastday. May the Risen Lord continue to bless all of you as you continue to carry on the work of the Church here at St. Herman’s.
Christ is Risen!
