Down on his hands and knees before his disciples, he told us to wash one another's feet. He told us to follow the way of shalom in dealing with others to turn the other cheek. He told us to be like him, to follow the way of the cross, and to give without counting the cost. But most of all he told us to believe that God loves us, and that we, insignificant creatures that we are, count. The tables are turned.
Nothing is as it seems to be.
Early in the morning on the first day of the week the holy women went to the tomb. They were carrying spices, which were used for embalming. Because of the Sabbath preparations, they had been unable to properly prepare Jesus' body for burial, but they had taken note of what was needed. They were going back prepared to finish the task. They knew what to expect.