Wait no More
They walked silently bonded through grief. They knew what they were approaching: a beaten crucified body. What joy was there to be found? Little did they know. But soon all would know.
The End of the Wait
I can only visualize with a finite mind the women as they approached the tomb. Each of their minds recounting their interactions with Jesus, their hearts grieving their loss, and each focusing on one last time with Jesus. Captured by their grief, they gathered the spices to anoint Jesus, but did not consider the stone that covered the tomb and how it would be removed.
As they approach the tomb, Matthew 28:2 provides a resolution to the sealed tomb, “And behold! A severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it.” I can imagine they slowed their pace upon seeing this and cautiously approached. Peeking before seeing. But then they saw! And the Angel comforted them and reported the wait was over, “He is risen, just as he said.”
I cannot even comprehend the feelings the women must have experieced. Did they look at each other with questioning eyes? Did they grab hands when the angel spoke? Did they stand stone still? While I see what Jesus does today and that astonishes me enough, I cannot fathom what it was for the women to experience first-hand the resurrected Jesus…what words are there to describe that?
Bringing the News
With what words the women could find, they ran quickly to tell the disciples as instructed by the angel. But Jesus had another surprise for them! He met the women on their journey to tell the disciples their wait was over. Jesus’ resurrection must have been hard for anyone to grasp, even those who walked closely with him. Him showing himself to the women first (which is awesome in and of itself) gave the women even more proof to share with the disciples that Jesus was alive!
Can you even grasp being the one that relayed the message that Jesus was risen? I wonder if the women said it together? Did one decide to say it, and the other could only shake her head “yes”? Did they stumble over their words? Regardless of how it was told, it was told! And it was believable enough that the guards who reported what took place were instructed to tell people that Jesus’ body was stolen, and they were paid to do so. Even they knew that something miraculous was happening, and they could not stop it!
The Rest of the Story
As the disciples heard the women’s instructions received at the tomb, they went to Galilee to meet Jesus. Again, I stumble over my own words to grasp this moment. Jesus, with his pierced hands, feet, and side standing before his disciples in all his glory. They worshipped him, but scripture states some were doubtful. Yet, even with the doubt, Jesus tells his disciples to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). And those who doubted must have overcome that doubt because the news of Jesus spread, and disciples continue to be made two thousand years later. Hallelujah!
It is Done
While we wait Jesus’ return, the wait for the Messiah, the wait of conquering death and hell, the wait of salvation is done! The Holy of Holies is ours to enter at any time. We can boldly approach God’s throne knowing Jesus cleared the way for us to do so!
“O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory? Thanks be to God! He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). Celebrate that today and forever!