1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.
These women have come to finish the burial process for their beloved teacher and friend.
The process had been started, as John 19 tells us, by Joseph (Arimathea -- the owner of the tomb, plus a disciples of Jesus) and by Nicodemus. It was done hastily, in secret because Jesus had died a criminal. He was not supposed to be given the proper burial rites.
It is really a beautiful thought that Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus in John 3 was so powerful, life-changing that Nicodemus (a Pharisee) continually risked being caught in association with Jesus, even after his death. He, too, wanted to honor him.
2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
These women went to the tomb, with little to no plan about how they would actually move the stone. The stones used for these tombs were extremely heavy. It usually took multiple men to move them.
Yet, when they arrive, the stone is gone.
4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?
It is at this point that the women are wondering whether someone else has come to the grave to honor Jesus.
Or, as the other Gospels indicate, they think that grave robbers have come and moved the body of Jesus.
Either way, the idea of Jesus rising from the dead was not something they had considered upon seeing the empty tomb.
The angels' response is terrific. Of course Jesus isn't here! Death could not hold him!
6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” 8 And they remembered his words,
The word "must" is so interesting here. There was no other way for these things to unfold. The plan that God had laid out, so long ago, happened EXACTLY as it was meant to happen. Christ was must to be delivered, He must die, but He also must rise again from the dead.
"And they remembered his words," they remembered and began to understand what he had said to them. Luke 24:45 puts it this way, "Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures." A similar "opening" is happening here.
Once again, I am reminded that seeing is not believing. Instead, it is God's Word taking root inside our hearts, by an act of grace, through the work of the Holy Spirit, that leads to true faith and understanding.
My hope and my prayer for all of us is that we would be reminded of our Risen Savior. That we would remember all the promises He has made to us. That we would know with certainty that because He spoke them to us, they will come true. I pray that we would rejoice in His Resurrection.
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