Matthew 28:1-8 He Is Risen
“Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.
But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”
So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.”
After two days of agony, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary come to the tomb at dawn to see the tomb and hopefully to complete the preparations on Jesus’ body they were unable to accomplish on the day of his crucifixion. As the two women approach the tomb, suddenly the earth begins to shake violently, the huge stone blocking the tomb door rolls back, and an angel sits on it. Meanwhile, the guards collapse in fright; however, the two women see the angel and remain calm. When the angel tells the women that Jesus is risen, they are thrilled and run to inform the disciples.
Why are the women the ones who first get the glad news of Jesus’ resurrection? The women have remained faithful throughout the entire ordeal, the trial, the mocking procession to Calvary, the crucifixion, and the hasty burial. While the disciples have lost hope and are hiding somewhere, the women continue to patiently carry out their duties. Because of the faith and endurance of the women, they are the first ones to learn that Jesus really has risen from the dead.
Sometimes we find ourselves in situations that appear totally hopeless and we wonder why we are continuing to carry out our duties. Why not just give up? But our understanding of the Easter story is not complete unless we see those humble women coming to the tomb at first light to fulfill the assignments they had to leave undone on Friday evening. The magnificent thing about the One True Living God is that He meets us disciples in the middle of our trials and sends hope and courage when we are ready to give up.
Matthew 28:9-10 The Women Worship the Risen Lord
And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”
The women are following the angel’s orders when Jesus meets them on the way. What if the women had just gone home and refused to tell anybody else? Jesus would never have met them. The women encounter Jesus because they are being faithful and obedient.
Matthew 28:11-15 The Soldiers Are Bribed
“Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened. When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, saying, “Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.’ And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.” So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.”
The penalty for Roman guards deserting their post or failing in their duties is death. These men are probably shaking in their sandals as they report Jesus’ resurrection to the chief priests. But notice the response of the priests: do they change their minds about Jesus and his divine origin? No! All these men can think of is a cover-up.
Here the priests set an example of how to ignore a divine miracle when the details don’t match preconceived beliefs. Disciples must always be prepared to readjust their thinking when God steps in and moves radically.
As we consider the Easter story, let’s remember the faithfulness, obedience, and patience of the women. Let’s worship Jesus and follow His leading. And let’s remember that God is much greater than our preconceived notions. Those poor priests had spent their lives claiming to search for the Messiah, but when Messiah came, they were looking in the wrong direction.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives. Help us to be patient, obedient, faithful, and ever-ready to readjust our thinking when Your miracles appear. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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