The last
thing they expected to find on the first day of the week was an empty tomb.
The Jews of
that day placed great importance on the proper handling of the body of the
deceased family member or friend. It was how they showed respect for their loved
one, and it was how they showed reverence for God.
This would
have been particularly true for those who followed Jesus, as He had taught them
more than reverential fear of God.
Jesus had ushered in the new notion of reverential love for their Father – Who is in heaven.
And so, with
reverential love for Jesus - as for His Father - they approached the tomb where
He had been lain three days prior, with their only anticipation being to anoint
His body with burial spices customary of their day.
(We remember
Joseph and Nicodemus, two ruling members of the Sanhedrin, had requested the
body of Jesus from Pilate. They had respectfully removed His dead body from the
cross, washed it carefully and lovingly, wrapped it in burial cloths, and placed
it in an unused tomb owned by Joseph, who was a man of wealth. This caring for
the body of Jesus had been rushed as it was the preparation day for the
Sabbath, and all needed to be completed prior to sundown.)
So these
ladies, who loved Jesus so well, were on their way to the tomb to finish the
anointing of His body. It was very early in the morning, the hour itself indicating
their urgent desire to complete this reverent task.
Even among
His closest followers there was no anticipation of His resurrection. None.
This fact
would be an embarrassment - and surely would not have been included in the
historical accounts had it not been true. Mythical and fictional accounts
always make heroes of their main characters.
Of all the
bodies that have been born in the history of the world, there is only one body
that cannot be accounted for and never found.
When the
women arrived at the tomb, they found it empty. Everything Jesus had said was
true! Jesus was risen from the dead! He IS
the firstfruits of all who choose to follow Him!
-Pastor Bill
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