The Resurrection
1Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.5And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’a head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10Then the disciples went back to their homes.
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
11But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet.13They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic,b“Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.
I’ve spent a lot of this weekend thinking of the emotional roller coaster the disciples must have been on. How joyful they must have felt with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. How confused they must have been when the Man they thought would be king wanted to wash their feet. How incensed they must have felt when they were told that one of their number would betray Jesus. How much despair was Peter in when he realised what Jesus prophesied had come true. He HAD denied Him….three times. Surely they must have thought Jesus would save Himself when He was arrested, then tried, then executed. By the end of Good Friday, they would have been crushed. The bottom had fallen out of their world, and they would have had no idea where to turn. Jesus was dead! Easter Saturday they spent in hiding. They were His followers, He had been killed, and they could be next.
Then Easter Sunday, Resurrection Day dawned, and the extraordinary news that the tomb was empty. What had happened? What confusion they must have felt! Especially with the news from Mary later that day: “I have seen the Lord”! Did they think she had taken leave of her senses? That with the stress and emotions of the last few days she had finally flipped? Or did they finally believe, and remember what He said? That He must die, and rise again?
Looking back on those times, it is really difficult for us to imagine how they felt. Good Friday comes, and it is a most sombre day as we remember the cruel death, torment and humiliation He experienced, all so we could be saved. Then Easter Saturday we wait. Not in fear of our lives, but in anticipation of what we know is coming, the utter joy of Easter Sunday. HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA!
And what of Mary? In some of the other Gospel accounts she was joined by other women, but in all she was the one appointed to tell the disciples that Jesus had risen. Why did He not appear straight to the disciples? Why entrust the telling of such vital news to women? Interesting thought, which the Bible doesn’t explain, but we can be sure there was a reason.
She had come to do something out of love, when she could do no more for Him, prepare Him for eternity so she thought, and found He had disappeared! I am sure she felt great confusion and distress. The world was indeed going mad for her. And then He spoke to her. Now this I have experienced. Jesus has spoken to me during periods of great tumult and I have felt a peace like no other. I’m sure Mary was still bewildered. But He had spoken to her. He was alive! And it was going to be alright!
So it is now with us. He IS alive. He is RISEN! The Son is shining! IT WILL BE ALRIGHT!
Light of Christ 