DR 13
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December 13
Mark 16:1-8. Three women visit the tomb.
These three women had watched the Lord while hanging upon his cross, and now they come together to visit his tomb. Their attachment to him united them to each other. Two of these women were mothers—the mothers of holy apostles. Mary was the mother of James and Jude, the relations of the Lord, and Salome was the mother of James and John, two of his most favoured friends. How was it that none of these four apostles accompanied their mothers to the sepulchre? Why did they permit weak women to go alone, while it was yet dark, to a place where they were exposed to the assaults of enemies? Surely these mothers exceeded their sons in love to their Lord. It has been said of woman by a poet—
"Not she with traitorous kiss her master stung,
Not she denied him with unfaithful tongue—
She, when apostles fled, could danger brave,
Last at his cross, and earliest at his grave."
A woman was the first to eat the forbidden fruit. It was merciful in God to permit her to be the first to visit the sacred tomb.
These women were aware that great difficulties lay in their way. They had seen on Friday evening an enormous stone placed at the door of the sepulchre. They said to each other as they approached the place, "Who shall roll us away the stone?" How glad would they have been of the help of all the eleven apostles! But greater help than theirs was afforded. An angel had rolled away the stone. Had these women known that a guard of soldiers surrounded the tomb, their fears would have been much increased. But this obstacle also was removed before they knew it existed. The angel by the brightness of his appearance had laid the soldiers senseless on the earth. How often there seems to be a great stone in the way of pious undertakings. How apt Christians are to be discouraged, and to say, "Who shall roll it away?" Let their answer be "God." When He designs that a work should be performed, he removes every obstacle.
Affection inspired these women with so much courage that they ventured to enter the sepulchre. Theirs were the first human feet that trod the rocky floor after the Lord had arisen. They hoped to see the precious body, but they beheld on the right side of the tomb a young man sitting clothed in a long white garment. As angels never die, they are always young. As they never sin, they are represented as clothed in white garments. They have never known by experience either sin or death; but they have seen a great deal of both. An angel strengthened the Lord in his agony when he was bearing our sins, and struggling with our death. An angel comes and sits in his tomb.
Strange place for an angel to rest in! But he had a message to deliver to the faithful women who were coming there, and he waited to receive them. With what kindness he addressed the trembling mourners! He showed that he knew why they grieved, and why they came, and what they expected to find. He was the first to declare that Jesus was risen. What joy a kind angel must have felt when uttering the words, "He is risen." He invites the women to search the empty tomb. "Behold the place where they laid him!" Then he sends a message to the apostles. He knew they had forsaken their Lord; he sees how backward they are to honor him; yet he remembers them; for he knew that his Lord loved them, and he must love them too. He sends a special message to that apostle who had sinned the most flagrantly—even to Peter. "Tell his disciples, and Peter." Though so liable to sin ourselves, how harsh we are in judging others! This angel had never forsaken or denied his Lord, yet he felt for those who had. He was anxious that their tears should be dried up without delay.
How did the women receive the heavenly tidings? It is written in Matthew's gospel, "They departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy." Their joy was greater than their fear. They trembled because they had seen angels; they rejoiced because they hoped soon to see their Lord. The fear was the consequence of human infirmity, the joy flowed from faith and love. There are many fears now in the hearts of believers, but they shall all pass away; whereas their joy shall increase and endure forever. When they have no sin, they shall have no fear; and when they see Jesus, their joy shall be full. Do we, who never saw him, long to see him? He comes with clouds. May we meet him in the air, and be ever with him!