Several women followed to the tomb of Jesus, and they watched how the body of Jesus was laid. As they returned home they bought spices and ointment and prepared them, as this was a custom to put around the body of a loved one. The next day was the Sabbath, when none were to work or travel (Exodus 16:2929See, for that the Lord hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day. (Exodus 16:29)), but they came early the morning after.
The great stone had been rolled from the entrance, and they went inside, but the body of Jesus was not there. They were greatly troubled. Where it could be?
Suddenly two angels in shining garments were beside them, who said, “Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen.”
Witnesses of the Resurrection
The angels reminded them that Jesus had told them He would rise the third day, and they said for them to go tell His disciples. The women went and told them, but the men did not believe them, though two ran to the tomb and found it empty (John 20:3-83Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. 4So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. 5And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. 6Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, 7And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. 8Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. (John 20:3‑8)).
Notice that it was on the first day of the week that the Lord Jesus arose, as given also in Matthew 28:11In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. (Matthew 28:1), Mark 16:1-21And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. 2And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. (Mark 16:1‑2), and 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). People then did not name the days of the week, but numbered them, 1st, 2nd, etc., except the 7th day was named Sabbath (rest). The day before was called the “preparation” day (Luke 23:5454And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on. (Luke 23:54)); that was the day Jesus was crucified and laid in the tomb. So He was there on the Sabbath.
Witnesses to the Resurrection
He had come to earth to bear, while on the cross, the punishment from God that man’s sin deserved. That He was raised out of death is proof that His work was accomplished.
God now offers to justify, or count righteous, everyone who trusts in the work of His Son. That is why the message, “He is risen,” is as blessed for us, as for those people who trusted Him then (Romans 4:2525Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. (Romans 4:25)).
Next we read of the appearings of the Lord to those who loved Him.
Further Meditation
1. Why is the first day of the week called the Lord’s day?
2. The wonder of Christ’s resurrection is as fresh today as it was then. What are some of the reasons it is so wonderful that we have a risen Saviour in heaven?
3. The Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ by A. J. Pollock presents some of the wonderful proofs that God has given us of the real, physical resurrection of Jesus Christ from the tomb.