“Then the angel said to the women in reply, Do not be afraid…He is not here,
for he has been raised just as he said…” (Mt. 28:1-10)
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were the only ones who showed up at the empty tomb immediately after the angel and earthquake occurred; and the stone was rolled back. It does not matter how many times I have read this passage, I still am amazed at how this happened. I am also understanding with wonder that the women came first and left the fearful men back home.
Thus, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were the first to announce Christ’s Resurrection upon seeing and receiving information from the angel. They also encountered the Risen Lord who instructed them to “tell my brothers.” The women were “fearful and overjoyed.” I am sure they ran all the way back to the Upper Room where the followers were hiding. I began to imagine what I would want to know if two women told me that story. Did I have enough faith to believe this? Would I have enough patience to wait and see Jesus?
I am sure they had big discussions: Who will go and check on the story? Was it a ghost? How did the stone get moved? Who else was there? How did you know this was an angel from God? When is He coming? What did He look like when you 2 Marys saw Him? What exactly did He say about seeing us? Should we prepare a feast? What do we do now? Is it dangerous out there? Are they looking for us? Are our families safe?
With a little more time, the questions were answered. Enter the Holy Spirit…
Author: Jacqueline E. Wilson
Wilmington, DE
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