From Watchers Of His Death, To Witnesses Of His Resurrection

Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Matthew 27: 55

Among these women were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons. Women who were followers of Jesus, to wait upon His everyday needs, are watching Him strung to a cross. Powerless to help their Master and Lord whom they love so much, they can only watch, and watch from a distance. These women are witnesses of the Crucifixion of Jesus. The One they left their homes to serve, the One they followed from Galilee to Jerusalem, is dead.

It is now very early on Sunday morning, at the crack of dawn, just after Sabbath. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, two women from the company of women, have left the others to make a most memorable journey. These women, who were watchers at a distance, of all that was done to Jesus only three days ago, have come to look at the tomb where He is buried.

The tomb is where the dead lies, but it is also the place where all hope, all assurances, all dreams, all plans, all aspirations, all you ever looked forward to, are cold, buried and dead. These women, who had found life in Jesus, who had found a more excited reason for living; these women who had dedicated their lives to serving Jesus, have now lost Him. In losing Him, they have lost all for which they had hoped. As these two women watch, they are given a resurrection that transforms their lives and the lives of many others.

Remember, they have come to watch, to look at the tomb and lo and behold, an angel is there who talks with them. They are made witnesses of the Resurrection of Jesus, for this angel puts them at ease and comforts them with these words. Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. Matthew 28: 5. Look at excitement intensified, as they are told the Good News that their Lord is not dead anymore. Just listen to what the angel tells these mourning and deeply sorrowful women.

Jesus is not here.
He has risen from the dead, just as He said.
Come and see for yourselves.
Go quickly and tell the other disciples.
He is on His way, before you, to Galilee.
You will see Him there.

Can you imagine their joy and excitement to share this news? Matthew 28: 8 reads, thus; So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid, yet thrilled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. But this tops it all. The Lord Himself comes in visible form to these changed lives and confirms His Word in them, by performing this mighty and unbelievable miraculous sign of truth. As they run, with hearts bursting with joy, to proclaim, to publish, to preach, to tell this thrilling news; to spread the Living Gospel, Jesus, the Risen Lord meets them, and greets them. My word! Can you imagine this? Are you still calm and cool? I tell you, this is so awesome, I can feel it taking my breath away. How can a human being not die from such a totally transforming moment? I don’t know about you, but I can’t even picture those women, really. You are filled to the brim with joy and awe and as if that is not enough, you receive more! All these women could do is drop at the feet of their Risen Jesus. Can you see them? Each of them is holding on to His feet and worshipping Him. What a miraculously life-changing time!