This was to the women, who, when they arrived at the sepulcher early on the morning of the first day of the week, were told by the angel that the Lord was risen from the dead, and who sent by them a message to the disciples and PETER that He was risen, and that He would go before them to Galilee, and meet them there. As they went on this errand, the Lord met them on the way. In their joy they held Him by His feet, and worshipped Him. As they thus handled Him they knew it was no apparition that stood before them, but their loved Lord risen from the dead.
It is very touching that when the angel sent this message to His disciples, he should have added the words, " And Peter." Was not Peter included among the disciples? Why mention him specially? Peter, after his frightful backsliding, might well have wondered if he were included in the message. But this addition, " and Peter/' would set his mind at rest, and give him fresh courage to face his Lord. Here we find the tender com-passion of the Good Shepherd shining forth in the wording of the angel's message.