He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.
Matthew 28:6–7, ESV
March was Women’s History Month, a time to highlight the stories of women who have shaped our world. This year’s theme celebrated women whose courage and influence continue to move individuals and communities forward. As I reflected on the remarkable women in my own life and throughout history, my thoughts kept returning to a group of women without long biblical narratives, who made an eternally significant impact. I thought about the women who knew Jesus and faithfully followed him. They witnessed his wonder—from his miraculous virgin conception and humble Bethlehem birth to the pain and suffering of his crucifixion and victorious resurrection. In a world that often dismissed the testimonies of women, God chose women as the first heralds of resurrection hope. Their witness invites us to consider how we might carry the message of the risen Christ.
Mary, the Mother of Jesus
Have we relegated Mary to a cast member in a live nativity scene—holding a baby and smiling at the audience? Or do we picture her as a courageous young girl who believed God’s messenger? In Luke 1:28–38 (ESV), the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and greeted her as one highly favored by God. Though initially troubled, she listened as Gabriel told her she would conceive a son by the power of the Holy Spirit. Through simple faith and trust in God, Mary accepted his word and offered herself as God’s servant. This young woman gave birth to Jesus, nurtured him as he grew into adulthood, witnessed the miracles of his public ministry, and stood near the cross during his suffering. Mary’s story opened the door to a larger community of women whose faithfulness shaped the early witness of the gospel.
The Other Women
Scripture introduces us to other women who followed Jesus faithfully throughout his ministry. They were disciples in every meaningful sense; they listened, learned, served, gave, and stayed. The Gospels consistently highlight their presence, devotion, and courage.
Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and Salome followed Jesus from Galilee and supported his ministry through their resources and service (Matthew 27:55–56; Mark 15:40–41).
Luke identifies Mary Magdalene, Joanna (wife of Herod’s steward), and Susanna as women who had been healed and who used their own means to sustain Jesus’s work (Luke 8:1–3).
John records that Jesus’s mother, his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene stood near the cross (John 19:25).
Matthew tells us that Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary” discovered the empty tomb, received the angel’s message, and encountered the risen Jesus (Matthew 28:1–10).
Luke notes that Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and other women first reported the resurrection to the apostles (Luke 24:10).
These women, named and unnamed, formed a faithful circle of disciples whose devotion carried them through both sorrow and joy.
A Collective Witness and Our Call to Faithfulness
When we look at Mary, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Salome, and the faithful women of Galilee, we see more than individual stories. We see a community of disciples whose lives were woven together by their love for Jesus. They came from different backgrounds and carried different burdens, yet they shared one defining commitment: they followed Jesus.
The women who rose before dawn on the resurrection morning were the same faithful women who stood near the cross when others fled. Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, Salome, Joanna, and the other Galilean women had already proved their devotion in the darkest hour—remaining with Jesus when the sky grew black, and hope seemed lost. Their presence at the crucifixion and the empty tomb reminds us that resurrection joy was entrusted to those who have first walked through sorrow with our Savior.
Their collective witness reminds us that faithfulness is rarely loud or celebrated. It is often lived out in the quiet places—showing up, serving, giving, praying, and staying when it would be easier to walk away. May their courage inspire us, their faithfulness challenge us, and their witness remind us that God still delights in using willing hearts to make his risen life known to the world.
As we honor their stories, we are invited to consider our own.
Where is Christ calling you to show up with steady devotion?
How might your ordinary acts of obedience become extraordinary testimonies of his grace?
The same God who entrusted these women with the message of resurrection hope invites us to carry that hope to our families, communities, and world!
Talulah Ruger, RN, MSN (MACE, 2006), is a retired oncology nurse, Bible teacher, speaker, and writer. Talulah, the president and founder of Talulah Ruger Ministries, utilizes her extensive experience in vocational church ministry, combined with her teaching and speaking, to inspire and motivate others who are 50 and older to leverage their faith and life stories to mentor others for Christ. She teaches and trains women to use their gifts in ministry and develop meaningful relationships through spiritual mentoring. She also serves as an instructor at the Opened Bible Academy in Houston.