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 16:29), 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 20:3-8).
Soon the Lord Himself appeared to those women and talked to them (Matthew 28:9-10). Later all those who loved Him had sure proof that He was alive, for He came to them and talked to them.
Notice that it was on the first day of the week that the Lord Jesus arose, as given also in Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:1-2, and 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 23:54); that was the day Jesus was crucified and laid in the tomb. So He was there on the Sabbath.
The next day began a new week and that morning they found He had risen. Afterward those who loved Him met on the first day of the week to honor Him, and it was called “the Lord’s day.” (See Acts 20:7; Revelation 1:10).
Witnesses to the Resurrection
Although the disciples were slow to believe that morning that Jesus was risen, afterward they spoke much of that wonderful event. Peter said that God raised Him “because it was not possible” He should be held by death because He was “the Prince of life.” He said David meant Christ when he wrote, Thou will not “suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption [decay]” (Acts 2:24-28; Acts 3:15; Psalm 16:10-11).
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 4:25).
“Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion [rule or power] over Him” (Romans 6:9).
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.