DR 16
December 16
Matthew 28:9, 10. Christ appears to the faithful women.
The Lord Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene, after he rose from the dead; then he appeared to her two companions, Mary and Salome. He could transport himself, in one moment, from the place where he stood conversing with Mary Magdalene, near the tomb, to the spot which these women had reached. He met them as they were running quickly to bring his disciples word.
He met them with words of joy. He said, "All hail," or "Rejoice." He found them rejoicing, but he bid them again rejoice. The first salutation that he uttered when he rose from the dead was, "Woman, why are you weeping?" His next salutation was, "All hail." He would not bid his people rejoice, if there were not great cause for joy. When he was born into the world, the angel said to the shepherds, "Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." Since that time Jesus had passed through deep sorrow. And what was the fruit of this sorrow?
Joy.
What joy?
The joy of saving souls from eternal death. This was the joy set before him, to gain which he endured the cross, and despised the shame. This is the Father's will, that every one that sees the Son, and believes in him, shall have everlasting life. (John 6:40.) Well might Jesus say to these believing women, "All hail!" If we could now hear Him speak from heaven, we should hear him utter those same words to all who believe in him. Though they might be languishing on sick beds, or weeping over newly-closed graves, he would say to them, "All hail!" But what would he say to unbelievers? He would denounce woe upon them, because they have not believed in the only name which can save them from the wrath to come. "Woe unto you that laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep."
Though the faithful women felt some fear at the sight of their risen Lord, they ventured to approach him, and to hold him by the feet. They must have seen upon those feet the prints of the nails. They loved him before he died, but surely they loved him better now. The sight of his agonies on the cross must greatly have increased their love. Everyone who has lost dear friends feels, "I never loved them enough while they were with me. The remembrance of their dying pangs endears them doubly to my heart." But what must these women have felt when they remembered all their Lord had gone through, and when they knew it was all for their sakes! Do we wish we had been in their place, lying low at his feet and worshiping him? If we love him, we may look forward to such a meeting.
When Jesus rose from the dead, his enemies were not permitted to see him. He appointed a place in Galilee where all his disciples from all parts of the land might assemble to meet him—but his enemies received no invitation. There shall be a place in the air where all who love Jesus shall behold him when he comes again. The dead in Christ shall rise first; then those who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. There will be no parting after that meeting. "So shall we be ever with the Lord." There will be no sorrow after that meeting. "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." There will be no sin after that meeting. "When he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." (1 John 3:2 )