When in Israel, this was one of my favorite spots. The garden tomb, and the sign on the door that you see after you see the folded clothes on the empty bench inside the tomb.
How many times have I read the angel’s words in Matthew’s account of the women at the empty tomb? And how many times did I miss important treasures? I was always so focused on the statement, “He is not here, for He has risen, as He said,” that I missed what came before and after.
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary had gone to look at the tomb. While there, an angel came down from heaven, caused an earthquake, and rolled the stone away. The guards so shook in fear, they became like dead men, but the angel addressed the women. Before giving instructions for them to go the disciples and to Galilee, he said,
“Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” Matt. 28:5-6
Let’s unpack this a bit:
“Do not be afraid” – always any angel’s first words. They must be scary! The guards were terrified, but the angel didn’t address them. His words were for the women. He had a message just for them, so he put their worries at ease.
“I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.” – He knew they were seeking Jesus. And because they were seeking Jesus, he shared his message with them. Are you actively seeking Jesus, my friend?
“He is not here, for He has risen, as He said” – the foundation of our faith, right here in these words. Death was conquered, and He could not be found in the tomb. Just as He had promised!
“Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” – The women were invited in to see for themselves. The stone was not rolled away to let Jesus out. In His resurrected body, Jesus could pass through material barriers. No, the stone was rolled away so that others could enter His space, to see in, and to be fully persuaded that Jesus had indeed been raised from the dead. We too are invited to come and to experience Jesus for ourselves.
In summary:
Don’t be afraid.
Seek Jesus.
Come and experience Him.
