* In the 1st century, neither Roman nor Jewish courts of law would allow the testimony of a woman as evidence.

* Just confronted this cultural bias when He allowed a woman to be His very first witness.

* vs 17a - He gave her a very clear command - GO and TELL!

* She was the first “sent one” who received the first apostolic commission from the risen Lord to proclaim the Good News of His resurrection.

* vs 17b - Jesus put the disciples on His same team (“My Father and your Father”).

* This would be a great encouragement to His disciples after they deserted Him.

* vs 18 - Two things Mary used to convince the disciples Christ was alive:

* 1) Testimony - “I have seen the Lord.”

* 2) The Word - “He said these things to her.”

* We need to do the same thing.