August 2

John 20:1
 
“The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulcher, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulcher” —John 20:11The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. (John 20:1).
Is there, in all history, a more thrilling incident recorded than that of the amazed followers of Jesus Christ when they found the tomb empty, where, only a few days before, they had reverently and sorrowfully laid away the body of their Lord? The imperial seal and the Roman guard guaranteed no human interference, no possibility of rifling that sepulcher. Yet, in spite of every precaution, the great stone that covered the entrance was rolled back, and the crypt was found to be vacant. No wonder the disciples themselves, who had forgotten or failed to understand the promise of the Lord Jesus that He would rise again the third day, were in a quandary as to what had taken place until the evidence of His resurrection became so overwhelming that they could no longer doubt. They ate and drank “with Him after He rose from the dead” (Acts 10:4141Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. (Acts 10:41)), and had absolute proof that He was indeed the very same Jesus they had known during the years of His ministry among them (John 20:2727Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. (John 20:27)). With them it was not merely faith accepting the testimony of others—even of God Himself, or His Holy Word. It was actual sight, verifying what the Scriptures, divinely inspired, had predicted.
“It was night!
Darkest that was ever seen;
Treachery, desperate and mean;
‘Friends’ on whom He could not lean.
It was night!
Night for Him—and for them night;
For they could not bear the sight,
So they left Him in their fright.
That dark night.
Morning light!
‘Very early’ in the dawn
Of that resurrection morn
Hope was dead. But joy was born.
Oh, the light!
‘Mary’ was the name He said;
‘Master!’—Gone was all her dread;
He was living, and not dead, Glory light!”
M. Warner.