One of the saddest moments for the disciples of Jesus was after His death and burial. These people left all they had to follow Jesus and they were looking forward to a better Israel until their own people arrested and killed Jesus. In fact, the disciples had been told severally by Jesus about His death and resurrection. But, at that time, it made no sense to them until it happened. Jesus was crucified and laid in a tomb. While the men ran helter skelter, some of the women followed Jesus to the cross and even to His tomb. Mark 15:47 says that Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where Jesus was laid. These women saw Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus take the body of Jesus from Pilate. This is what happened:
Joseph of Arimathea "was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there." (John 19:39-42).
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. (Luke 24:1)
The women celebrated probably the saddest Sabbath of their lives. After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb (Matthew 28:1). Mark's gospel also mentions Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome (Mark 16:1). Luke mentions Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them (Luke 24:10) and John mentions Mary Magdalene. Thus, Mary Magdalene is mentioned in all the accounts. Mark's account states that the reason the women brought the spices was that they might go and anoint Jesus’ body (Mark 16:1). Remember that when Mary, the sister of Lazarus anointed Jesus in the house of the Pharisee, Jesus made this profound statement: “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial." (John 12:7). Thus, the anointing meant for Jesus' burial was done by a woman even before Jesus died. It was after His resurrection that all these made sense: there was no time!
The women pondered over who to help them roll the stone at the tomb. The men were still too shaken and in the house. But when the women got to the tomb, the stone had been rolled away and Jesus was not in the tomb. Imagine the shock! Surprisingly, the first impression wasn't that the Lord had risen from death. The first impression was "they have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” (John 20:2). When the rest of the disciples were told this, Peter and John ran to the tomb and saw the stripes of linen lying there. As John puts it, "They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to where they were staying" (John 20:9-10). Prior to the women arriving to meet an empty tomb, Matthew's account reports that "There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men" (Matthew 28:2-4). Just one angel and the soldiers were like dead men. While the disciples looked into the empty tomb and left, the women lingered behind. The angel who had earlier rolled the stone said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples." (Matthew 28:5-8)
Imagine the joy! They went to anoint a dead man only to be told that Jesus is alive. These women loved the Lord even in death and did not give up on Him. In just a moment, the grief of the crucifixion turned to the party of the resurrection. The perseverance and commitment of these women is worth celebrating. They endured the low moments but God gave them a reason to be eternally grateful. If Jesus is alive, then the dead shall live again. What a joy!
Are they moments you feel so down and alone? Remember, the same Jesus who was crucified, is the same Jesus who resurrected on the third day. If all that we know is the pain of death, we miss the joy of the resurrection. May the power of the resurrected Christ restore unto us every dead situation. We shall sing songs of victory because our seasons of manifestations are here.
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