Monday, July 6
It was early Sunday morning, and the two Marys hastily made their way to the tomb of Christ. They were not going to ask Him for anything. What could a dead man possibly give them? The last time they saw Him, His body was bloodied, bruised, and broken. The scenes of the cross were deeply etched in their minds. Now they were simply doing their duty. Sorrowfully, they made their way to the tomb to embalm His body. The gloomy shadows of despondency engulfed their lives in the darkness of despair. The future was uncertain and offered little hope.
When they arrived at the tomb, they were startled to find it empty. Matthew records the events of that resurrection morning in these words: “And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen” (Matthew 28:5, 6).
The women were now overwhelmed with joy. Their dark clouds of sadness faded into the sunlight of the dawning of resurrection morning. Their night of sadness was over. Gladness graced their countenances, and songs of rejoicing replaced their tears of lament.
Read Mark 16:1-11. What was Mary’s response when she discovered Christ was risen from the dead?
After Mary met the resurrected Christ, she ran to tell the story. Good news is for sharing, and she could not be silent. Christ was alive! His tomb was empty, and the world must know it. After we, too, meet the resurrected Christ along the highway of life, we, too, must run to tell the story, for good news is for sharing.
How fascinating, too, that despite all the times Jesus had told them what would happen, that He would be killed and then resurrected, the disciples — those ones Jesus specifically chose — refused to believe Mary’s testimony. “And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.” (Mark 16:11). Thus, if even Jesus’ own disciples didn’t immediately believe, we shouldn’t be surprised if others don’t immediately accept our words, either.
When was the last time you were rebuffed in your witness? How did you respond, and what have you learned from that experience?
