Jesus has risen in spite of everything that man could do to stop it from happening. The event was beyond spectacular or any other words we could use, as God reentered his lifeless human body. 1 John 1:5 informs us that God is light and in Him there is no darkness, so on that dark early morning hour as He came into the tomb it must of been blinding to the eyes. No wonder the Roman guards were terrified, but by the time Mary Magdalene and the others arrived on the scene, all was quiet and the area must of smelled wonderful with the aroma of those herbs and spices drifting through the morning air out of the open tomb.
The soldiers were gone and the area was very quiet once again, as the early morning sun was just starting to rise above the horizon. As the women walked along together filled with sadness, they talked among themselves about the large stone over the opening of the tomb. Who would remove it for them for it was very heavy. They carried along with them some special spices and herbs for the body of Jesus. As they came into view of the tomb they noticed that the stone was rolled away already and no one was around the area.
Here is where I believe that Mary Magdalene may have left the others after she saw the body was gone, John 20:1-2. Mary then left the others at the tomb and she ran to tell Peter that Jesus was gone. Did she know that he was alive? I believe in her heart, she hoped against hope that he was alive. This is just my opinion of her struggles with the limitations of her faith. Jesus had a special relationship with her, as she is always around him. Boyfriend girlfriend? Could be, as the scripture tells us that he was tempted just as we are in all areas, Hebrews 4:15. Once again it is just my opinion, but it makes sense to me.
The gospel writers mentioned her being among the others, it does not say she was the first one to look in and see angels. But I’m positive she was the first to see the body of Jesus missing. Peter and John were staying in Jerusalem and it was closer for her to run and get them and for them to make sense of what had happened.
After Mary leaves to go and tell the disciples, the other women were once again in the tomb trying to figure out what happened. Luke tells us in chapter 24:4, that they were much perplexed, which means completely baffled and confused. He was here but now he’s gone. The grave clothes are there but Jesus is not. As they talk among themselves suddenly a man appears, no not one, there are two men in the tomb with them. This frightened them instantly and the angel has to calm them as to tells them to not be afraid.
Then he begins to explain that Jesus is not among the dead as he has risen as he said he would. He reminds them of Jesus words when he was in Galilee and this caused them to recall it and somewhat understand it. Then the angel gives them instructions on what to do next. Go and tell the disciples that Jesus is alive, and he will meet them in Galilee. The women are only too glad to leave as they are still trembling and amazed after what they experienced.
Mark says them left quickly for they were afraid, Matthew tells us they were also filled with great joy as they ran with the good news to go and tell the disciples. He also adds in chapter 28:9, and as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, all hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Jesus himself tells them the same message to go into Galilee and he will meet them there. Talk about a faith booster, you can’t get anymore than seeing and touching Jesus in person.
As Mary arrives at the home where Peter and John are staying, she tells them that the body of Jesus is missing. Peter is startled by her words and tells them he is going to see for himself. John and Peter start running together but John is faster and arrives at the tomb first and looks in. Then Peter arrives and just goes on in. They see the linen clothes lying there on the slab and the napkin that was around the head was folded and lying by itself. John is the first to believe, but Peter is not sure. So they both leave and Mary Magdalene stays behind weeping.
Suddenly she goes inside the tomb and this time she is not alone. Two angels are there again, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the stone slab. They begin talking to her and ask why is she crying? She answers that the Lords body is missing and I don’t know where it is. She then turns as she instinctively knows someone is behind her. She did not recognize the man as he asked her a question. She thought he was the gardener and tells him to show her where they put the body. Her eyes were probably so full of tears that she couldn’t see clearly. Jesus says to her, Mary, and now it is very clear who she is talking to. Rabboni, and turns to hold him, but Jesus says do not cling to me, as I have not yet ascended to my Father.
The whole event is not clearly shown to us as it just leaves us to our imagination. It simply says that Mary then leaves to go tell the disciples that she has seen the Lord, but they do not believe her either. All the other women have said the same thing, the Lord is alive. But it seemed like idle tales of wishful thinking to those grieving men that saw but yet did not believe the evidence shown to them. We have the advantage over them as we are reading their stories of how it happened. Very different for them as they saw, heard and understood in real time.
I will close out this letter and begin writing on the post resurrection as I finish this resurrection story as told in the four gospels. I hope it helps you understand what happened on that wonderful day so long ago. Remember you will make it, just don’t give up. See you in my next letter as we study God’s Word together.
In His Service As Kilted Priest
The Kilted Priest 