The resurrection of Christ

According to Mark, a group of ladies went to the tomb of Jesus. Mark names them as Mary Magdalene; Mary, the mother of James; and Salome. Luke also speaks of a fourth woman named Joanna. This is the same group that was at the cross (Mark 15:40) and who witnessed the burial of Jesus as well (Mark 15:47). These women would now be rewarded with being the first witnesses of the greatest and most victorious event in all of history…the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is obvious that God rewards faithfulness.

The women had left for the tomb very early in the morning. John tells us that they left while it was still dark (Jn 20:1) and arrived just after the sun had risen. They had brought with them spices to anoint the body of Jesus. These spices were used to counteract the smell of decay while at the same time showing love and devotion. Their biggest concern was how they would get into the tomb due to the large stone that had been placed in front of the opening. They seemed unaware that a Roman Guard had been posted at the tomb to prevent anyone from stealing the body.

Upon arriving, they noticed that the stone had been rolled away. Matthew and Luke’s accounts both tell us that it was the angel that had rolled the stone away. They entered the outer portion of the tomb that led to the inner burial chamber and saw a young man wearing a white robe. Luke identified him as an angel and John as well as Luke record that there were actually two of them. Mark only records the presence of the angel that spoke to the women. Upon seeing this messenger, the women are in overwhelming distress. This was the same word used to describe Jesus’ prayer of agony in the garden prior to His arrest. Believe me, you would react the same way if you saw an angel.

The angel now speaks. This is the first message of the Good News of the Resurrection. What incredible grace it was that these women would be the first witnesses. The angel tells them to not be amazed. He goes on to say that they were looking for Jesus who was crucified but now He was no longer in the tomb. The empty tomb was now evidence that He had indeed risen from the dead. To prove it, the angel invites the women to examine the place where He had been laid which now only contained the empty grave clothes.

With the knowledge of the resurrection also comes responsibility. The angel tells the women to go and tell His disciples. Mark then records the added words “and be sure to tell Peter!” Remember, Peter had just hours prior to the crucifixion claimed that He would die for Jesus and then he had single-handedly tried to protect Jesus when the guards came to arrest Him in the garden. However, that very night Peter had denied Jesus, not once, not twice, but three times. Peter looked like and felt like a complete failure. But listen, folks. That is the powerful message of Easter. The resurrection allows God to turn failures into successes. A few weeks later Peter would preach a powerful sermon on the Day of Pentecost and 3,000 people would come to faith in Christ. The angel then added that Jesus, who was now alive, was going ahead of them to Galilee where they would see Him! The resurrection of Jesus is all about hope (First Peter 1:3).