Visits to the Tomb
Part 2
Trip 3 - John 2O
Who went;
Mary Magdalene alone.
When;
"The first day of the week . . . early, when it is yet dark' (John 20:1).
Purpose;
To settle her own confusion brought on by what all she had seen and the disciples strong response toward her.
What happened;
Mary, upon her return, sees that the stone is indeed rolled away from the opening of the sepluchre. Determined to settle what is going on, she returns this time to find "Peter and the other disciple" and because they did not believe her first report, she tells them a new report "They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid Him" (John 20:2).
Response of the disciples to Mary's new report;
"Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they both ran together: and the other did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, and the napkin, that was about His head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together just as it had been wrapped about Jesus' head) in a place by itself. Then went in that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed." But what was it they believed?
They did not believe the first report of Jesus' resurrection, but they did believe this second report that His body was stolen. "For as yet they knew not the scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home" (John 20:3-10).
How Mary's crisis was settled;
Peter and John's belief that the body of Jesus had been stolen offered no comfort to Mary. She had seen angels and heard their glorious report of Jesus' resurrection and yet nobody believed her. Now in despair, she questions all she had seen and heard.
Having been left by the two disciples, "Mary stood without the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, and seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain"
"And they said unto her, 'Woman, why weepest thou?"' The angels (knowing that Mary had been told by them, or other angels, that Jesus had risen) did not understand Mary's sorrow. She saith unto them, 'Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid Him."' This statement clearly reveals how the disciples lack of faith had virtually destroyed Mary's own. Fortunately the Author and Finisher of her faith was jealous for her.
"And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus said unto her, 'Woman, why weepest thou?' She supposing Him to be the gardener, saith unto Him, 'Sir, if thou hast borne him hence, 'tell me where thou hast laid him. and I will take him away."'
Poor Mary, her hope was so crushed by the disciples ridicule and lack of faith, that now she too, regardless of the angelic reports, believes Jesus to be still dead. "Jesus saith unto her, 'Mary.' She turned herself, and saith unto Him, 'Rabboni" which is to say, 'Master"' (John 20:11-16).
How comforting it must have been to hear that voice of love speak her name again. A voice which she, (being one of His sheep,) had come to know and trust. All Jesus said was her name and her faith was restored. Oh if we would only listen when Jesus calls us by name, what healing power His voice could have for us!
Trip 4 - Mark 16
When;
"And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came to the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. "The fact that the sun was coming up makes this the latest trip recorded.
Who went;
Having already been confronted by the disbelief of the disciples Mary Magdalene now goes and finds Mary the mother of James and Salome, and other women. Instead of telling all of them about Jesus' resurrection and risk being ridiculed by these other women as well, remained silent. They continue with their plans to take the herbs, which they had purchased after Passover, and go to anoint the body of Jesus.
And as they went "they said among themselves, 'Who shall roll away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?"' It was probably the two Mary's asking this question of the other women. Like most people with a secret, they had a hard time keeping this one to themselves. So while not talking about what all they had seen earlier, they talk about what they know will be the first sign of Jesus' resurrection that the other women will see.
"And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment: and they were affrighted."
Notice how here in Mark's account there is only "one young man" here and not "two angels?" Wouldn't it be amazing if instead of this being an angel, it was actually the thief on the cross next to Jesus? I'm not saying it was, but who can say it was not? The scriptures make the point how this "one young man" was clothe in a "long white garment." It is white raiment represents the righteousness of the saints and what better garment for the one who by faith stood by Jesus at the end? What better reward than to be one of those privileged to declare His resurrection?
Does not Matthew tell us, "And the graves were open: and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the grave after His resurrection, and went and appeared unto many?"
Who can affirm or refute as to whether this "one young man" in a "long white garment" was the thief that acknowledge Christ or an angel? Certainly not I.
"And he saith unto them, 'Be not affrighted: ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: He is risen; He is not here: behold the place where they had lain Him."
This reference to Jesus as being "of Nazareth" is the way the people referred to one another back then. Like "Paul of Tarsus" or "Simon, a Cyrenian," or "Joseph of Arimathea," or "Mnason of Cyprus." Men identified men with where they came from. The angel in Matthew referred to Jesus as the "Lord." This by far is the most accurate account of Jesus, "Lord." To refer to Jesus as being from Nazareth is more the perspective of man than that of God or the angels. They know from whence He truly came.
"But go your way, [as you were previously told] and tell His disciples and Peter that He goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see Him, as He said unto you." And they went out quickly and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed; neither said they anything to any man; for they were afraid."
Can you imagine Mary Magdalene going back to try and tell the disciples again what they all saw? If it was the thief on the cross, can you see her telling them that she saw the thief as well? "I saw the thief that was crucified with Jesus and he said Jesus is alive too!" I'm sure that would have gone over big.
Luke and John both mention how the women, then Mary, all told someone what they saw and heard, but not here. This time the encounter and message were not told "to any man: for they were afraid." Afraid of what? They told no one because they for "afraid" of greater ridicule. Had this young man clothed in white had been an angel, his angelic position would have perhaps obliged the women to go and tell. But if it was this "man," a condemned thief, what authority had he? Of course you and l, not in their situation, can readily see his authority as being of God. But put yourself in their position. Put yourself in Mary Magdalene's, after all she had been through. What would you do?
It was not until Sunday evening (before sunset because it is still the first day of the week) that Jesus appeared unto all the disciples "as they sat at meat." Then Jesus rebuked them for "their unbelief (lack of faith) and hardness of heart (lack of compassion on the women), BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED NOT THEM WHICH HAD SEEN HIM AFTER HE HAD RISEN!