DR 12
December 12
Matthew 28:1-4. The resurrection.
In this short passage two very different scenes are described. One is a scene of sorrow; the other of joy. In one we behold weeping saints; in the other, a joyful angel. Yet there is a close connection between these two scenes. It was the same Lord who occupied the thoughts of those mourners and of that joyful messenger. But the angel knew more than the women did. He rejoiced because he was sent to unbar the tomb; they mourned because they thought there was nothing left for them to do except to embalm the body.
What an honor was conferred upon that angel! With ease he rolled away the massive stone. The soldiers who surrounded the tomb could not maintain their post at his approach. It was not the earthquake that terrified them, but the sight of the angel. "For fear of him the keepers shook and became as dead men." The angel watches in their place; he sits upon the stone, as if to take possession of the place in the name of his Lord. A few words are used to describe his glorious person—but no words can give us a full idea of it. "His countenance was like lightning and his clothing white as snow." Both lightning and snow come from above, as the angel did, and when they come they excite our wonder and admiration. The splendor of the forked lightning, and the purity of the driven snow, are not equaled by any other objects in creation.
If angels are so glorious, what must be the glory of their Lord! There is no description given of his appearance as he rose from the tomb. None of the inhabitants of earth were permitted to behold him issuing forth from his dark resting-place. The angel went before to lay the keepers low, that no profane eye might gaze upon divine brightness. Had the faithful women arrived at the place only a few minutes earlier, they would have witnessed the rising of their Lord. But God had appointed that none but heavenly beings should behold the rapturous sight. We know not whether any glorified saints were hovering near; whether Moses and Elijah were there; we do know that angels were present.
The light of day arose just before the Lord of glory. That light had hidden its head when he expired upon the cross; but it was shining forth when he lived again. It was appropriate that the sun should shine upon that joyful morning. The morning of the resurrection will be remembered throughout eternity as a joyful morning. There have been mornings which have appeared joyful at the time, but which have been looked back upon afterwards with deep regret. Events hailed with delight, have been followed by unforeseen evil consequences. But what glorious consequences have flowed from the resurrection, and will flow from it! How many dead souls have been quickened through its divine power! How many mortal bodies will be raised from their tombs! And why? Because Jesus rose again. What joyful shouts, what rapturous songs will then be heard! What happy meetings between brethren long separated will then take place! What new sensations of delight will then be experienced! What scenes of glory will burst upon the opening eyes of waking saints! All this joy will be traced to the resurrection of Jesus! As he said to his disciples, "Because I live, you shall live also." Shall we partake of this joy? We must first ask another question. Have we now the life of Jesus in our souls? Are we born again? In the new birth we obtain new life. If we have this life in our souls, then we may say, "When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ( we ) also appear with him in glory." (Col. 3:4.)