An Idle Tale

Mildred Wynkoop and the Nazarene Women Clergy
Council about 10 years ago. Great ladies!

Scripture:

Luke 24:1   But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. ² They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, ³ but when they went in, they did not find the body.^{a  4} While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. ⁵ The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.^{c  6} Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, ⁷ that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” ⁸ Then they remembered his words, ⁹ and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. ¹⁰ Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. ¹¹ But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. ¹² But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.^a 

Observation:

As soon as the women could safely make their way to the tomb, they did. Luke’s gospel opens with the story of two women and their babies, and then brings us to this place where women are the ones who are seeking out the Savior after his crucifixion. Just as the opening chapter of Luke has the visitation of angels to both Elizabeth and Mary, here, two “angels” visit the women at the tomb. Their words provide an interpretation of what has happened, and a reminder of the words of Christ. With all of this in mind, they rush to share this incredible news with the “eleven and to all the rest.” 

Luke provides us with the identity of the women, further sealing their testimony into history. Sadly, the women were not believed. This was not unusual in the first century, as Josephus claimed to be reporting on the law of Moses: “Put not trust in a single witness, but let there be three or at the least two, whose evidence shall be accredited by their past lives. From women let no evidence be accepted, because of the levity and temerity of their sex”(Josephus, Ant. 4.8.15 §219.). Therefore, even though there were more than three women present, their testimony was considered an “idle tale.” I can’t imagine their frustration at that moment. 

Peter, seemingly wanting to validate, or invalidate their words, went running to the tomb. However, he was not met by angels who interpreted the context for him — that gift was given to the women. From the beginning women had been considered the bearers of bad news, as reflections of Eve. In that day and in that moment, everything was reversed, and women became the bearers of good news — and this was truth. The restoration of women was a powerful move on behalf of our Savior. 

Application:

The good news of the resurrection is met as an idle tale today. We live in an era where everyone wants to be able to prove everything from “science.” In some ways, “science” has become our god, as we expect that we as humans have now captured the ability to answer all of the questions of all time. The reality is that we don’t have the answers and it takes a great deal of “faith” to believe some of what “science” has to offer. Some of the greatest scientists have a great spiritual faith, for the more they learn and study, the more they see the hand of a Creator in all of the beauty and design. 

The resurrection is not an idle tale, but it is the hope for all of humankind. Therefore, we ought to consider what we are doing to share this good news with others. The women who went right to Jesus’ inner circle were laughed at and scorned for sharing the good news — but this certainly didn’t seem to stop them. Peter didn’t believe them and had to go look for himself! (How often does that happen when women speak?) But this did not stop them. 

No matter what people think of us, or how often they may accuse us of an “idle tale.” The NIV says “their words seemed to them like nonsense.” Yes, the incredible hope of restoration in the image of God may seem like nonsense to those around us. We, however, must be willing to accept the scorn and continue to share the good news. Jesus’ resurrection is not nonsense, it is the best news that we could ever share with others. May we be willing to share this good news and not be deterred by the nay-sayers. 

Prayer:

Lord, please help me to faithfully step into every opportunity to share your good news with those around me. Amen.