In the cold, dark morning air, something moved Mary and the other women to go to the tomb. We are told that they were going to anoint Jesus’s body, but why so early? Why before dawn? Why were they in such a rush that they forgot to figure out who was going to open the tomb for them?
A breath of wind whispered nearby as they hurried along the garden path to the tomb: “He is risen.”
As they got closer to the tomb, all the animals, and the trees, and the earth already knew: “He is risen.”
Were the angels watching with expectation, as Mary and the others approached the tomb? How exciting would it be to see the ones who loved Jesus so much, approach His now-empty tomb?
The earth knew, and so did the stones: The stones that Jesus said would cry out in His praise, if no man spoke; those stones knew He was alive. (Luke 19:40)
The tombs of the saints that had opened at the moment of Jesus’ death, were their tombs near His tomb? Were those who rose from the dead aware of what was happening? There must have been a hush all over the world, watching, watching as the three women went to the tomb: “He is risen!”
And when they came near, and saw that the huge stone had been miraculously rolled away, what thoughts went through Mary’s mind? When she saw a great light radiating from the the Angel of the Lord, we know she was afraid, for the Angel spoke to comfort her.
“Don’t be afraid. I know you seek Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, for HE IS RISEN, just as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” (This is past tense–this is where they put Him after his death, where He no longer is.) (Matthew 28:1-6)
Would you have had enough courage to enter the tomb? Can you imagine the mixture of her thoughts? She had come there prepared to mourn, as she had been doing for days. She was steeling herself against the smell of decay that she expected; that was what the spices were for: To anoint His dead body.
But He was alive! He was there in the garden, the gospel of John tells us. And later, when Mary was weeping, still looking for Him even after what she had seen at the tomb, Jesus spoke to her. (She was so distraught she didn’t even recognize him.) Thinking He was a gardener, she begged Him to tell her where they had taken her Lord’s body.
“Mary.”
She knew that voice, and she answered.
“Master.”
He cautioned her. “Don’t touch me.”
He knew she would be inclined to run to him, but he had a job for her to do. “Go to my brethren and tell them. . .” (John 20:11-18)
How her heart must have sung, even as she had to leave him once again!
“He is risen! He is not here, just as He said. He is Risen! HE IS RISEN!”
My dear friends, do not forget the hope that lies within you! Jesus was the firstfruits, the first one to rise from the dead, and we are to follow IN HIS STEPS!
As you greet one another today, allow your heart to leap within you, for all these things affect you directly.
“HE IS RISEN!”
“HE IS RISEN, INDEED!”
(The painting at the top of the post is by Alexander Ivanov, Appearance of Jesus Christ to Maria Magdalena, 1835.)
The Fullers Four 