Three days ago, Jesus had hung His head in death. But not in defeat. That was the day an innocent Man died.
Early in the morning on the first day of the week, the women hurried to the tomb with their spices nestled in their baskets. It was so early, the sunflowers along the dusty road still had their heads bowed, but the women barely noticed. They were on a mission.
“Look!” one of the women exclaimed, pointing to the tomb. They squinted trying to see why there was a round dark spot on the tomb. One of the women gasped. “The stone has been rolled away!” They ran toward the tomb. They clasped each other’s hands and crept into the tomb. They stared in disbelief. There was no body. “What could this mean?” one woman asked,
Before anyone could answer her, two men in shining garments stood by them. Their clothing was dazzling and the light overcame the darkness of the tomb. The terrified women fell to their knees with their faces to the ground.
“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!” He had a deep, commanding voice. The angel with the authoritative voice continued, “Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again?” His question did not solicit an answer.
The women remembered the words of Jesus. But they didn’t understand them then, and they certainly couldn’t comprehend them now. “What shall we do, Mary Magdalene? You were the last one to leave the cross and the first one at the tomb. Tell us,” Joanna implored.
“We must go quickly and tell His disciples,” she answered, rearranging the jostled spices in her basket. “Do you think they’ll believe us?” Mary, the mother of James asked. “After all, this is pretty incredulous,” she said, stepping out of the tomb.
“It is incredulous. I barely believe it myself, and I am a witness to the empty tomb, and the two angels who spoke to us. But, we must tell them. Hurry,” she coaxed, as the sun peeked over the horizon.
They ran back to Jerusalem to find Peter and the other disciples.
The women recounted their experience, but were met with skepticism. It was clearly apparent by the disciples’ reaction that they did not expect a resurrection, and that the men considered their words idle tales from over-emotional and bereaved women.
But suddenly, Peter bolted out the door followed by John. The two men ran to the tomb trailed by the women. John outran Peter and arrived first. John stooped down and looked into the tomb, but he did not go in. Peter came, and charged into the tomb. He did not look casually around. He stared. The linen cloths were lying there and the handkerchief that had been around Jesus’ head was folded neatly in a place by itself.
John entered. He studied the place where Jesus’ body had been, and in an instant, he realized that Jesus had indeed been raised from the dead. His heart pounded in his chest as the truth sank deep into his soul.
The disciples, still perplexed and awed at the reality that Jesus was alive, returned to their homes, but Mary Magdalene stayed by the tomb. As she sobbed, she reached her hand against the cold stone of the tomb as though to steady herself from her own grief and bewilderment. As she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. Empty.
“Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?” the Man asked. She glanced over her shoulder and saw a man standing there, but she thought Him to be the gardener.
“Sir, if you have carried Him away, please tell me where you have laid Him.”
Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She recognized His voice. She felt like her heart was about to burst through her chest and her knees would buckle. Jesus is alive! He has risen just like He said. Truly He is the Light that overcame the darkness! And He called me by my name.
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life…” John 10:27-2
She fell at His feet and clung to Him. Do not cling to Me for I have not ascended to My Father. Go to My brethren and tell them I am ascending to My Father.”
Mary ran to tell the disciples. “He is risen,” she gasped.
HE IS RISEN, INDEED! Rejoice and be glad. The Savior lives and reigns!