No one was expecting anything miraculous. There weren’t crowds gathered at the tomb counting down the seconds until sunrise.
No. The movement Jesus started was over, and those that were a part of it were just coming to grips with the death of it and with the death of Him.
Mary, Mary, and Salome went to the tomb to do the proper burial things. They intended to minister to Jesus’ body. I’m sure they were somber, and perhaps even anticipating some unpleasant tasks. They were thinking practical and reasonable thoughts:
They asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance to the tomb?” Mark 16:3
Of course, they were surprised to find that the stone had been rolled away. They must have been shocked to find someone else in the tomb.
“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. But he has risen! He is not here! See the place where they had put him. Go! Tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him. It will be just as he told you.’ vv. 6-7
These three women were the first ordained evangelists. They received their ordination from a heavenly angelic being, “Go, tell…”. How wonderful! What a privilege for these women to be the first ones sent with the Easter message. It’s interesting to me that some of us still struggle with the idea of women preaching the gospel.
Not only that, but the risen Jesus himself appeared to Mary Magdalene:
Jesus rose from the dead early on the first day of the week. He appeared first to Mary Magdalene. He had driven seven demons out of her. v. 12
I imagine this was special for Him and for her. I wonder what he said. I wonder what she said. I wonder if she said anything at all. I am sure she was overwhelmed. I wonder if she was overwhelmed only because he was alive, or if he was somehow glorified or transfigured. I think it’s special that he revealed himself to her first. It’s honoring. In her culture, women were not credible witnesses in a court of law. In her culture one person alone wasn’t strong evidence. And so a lone woman was not readily believed. Still, Jesus chose to appear to her first. To me this emphasizes his connection to her. To me it validates her identity, her female-ness, despite her culture.
Interestingly, he also appeared to two other disciples “in a different form” (what??) and no one believed them either. I presume these others were male. Still, the unbelievable was hard to believe.
Then there is the Great Commission:
He said to them, “Go into all the world. Preach the good news to everyone.” v. 15
I feel like Jesus is sharing his dream more clearly than ever here. Everyone everywhere should know this good news. He died in our place, overcoming sin. He was resurrected on the third day, overcoming death. Everyone everywhere should be invited into relationship with Creator God. The path has been made clear!
And when he was done, he ascended:
When the Lord Jesus finished speaking to them, he was taken up into heaven. He sat down at the right hand of God. v. 19
So on this Easter, even though we are in an unprecedented season, let’s follow the example of his disciples. Let’s “go” everywhere and tell everyone that forgiveness is available!
All scripture quotes from the NIRV (New International Readers Version)
