Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went 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 and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
Comment: Witnesses rarely give a word for word report of what they saw. In fact, if they do, you wonder if it is concocted!. They all saw the incident from a slightly different viewpoint. Thus the four gospel records combined give a more complete picture than each taken individually. You may remember that the Marys sat watching where the body of Jesus was laid on late Friday afternoon. They went to the right place and we are startled by the short life changing experience they went through. Modern skeptics may ‘poo-hoo’ the resurrection, the two Marys lived through it, and they went on to tell their story with great joy. No more can anyone say that no one has returned from the other side of the coffin box lid. Jesus is truly worth listening too in matters of what follows death!
Prayer: My heart is full of joy, wonder and gratitude, my Father God.
As I read it! 