Resurrection Sunday

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE”” Galatians 3:13 NASB

Crucifixion was a torturous, inhuman death devised by the Romans; bodies were left to die slowly, which could take days.  However, the Romans did allow the Jews to bury their dead in accordance with the law of Moses (see Deuteronomy 21:22,23) and so to quicken the process the legs would be broken.  We know, however, that didn’t happen to Jesus because they found He was already dead.

“Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus.  Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders.  With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away.  He 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 19v38-42 NIV

Their actions were not unseen, as the women who were still at the cross watched on as they took Jesus down, then followed them to see where Jesus was to be laid.  After the sabbath the women came back to the grave.  What they found was that the rock that had been covering the entrance to the tomb had been rolled away and laying within it were the linens that Joseph and Nicodemus for Jesus’ shroud.

We read of the running back and forth by the women and two of His disciples, Peter and John, in John’s own account (John 20:1-18).  Narratives record how Mary Magdalene, in her anguish, believes the body has been stolen but then she sees a stranger standing near her. 

“Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?  Whom are you seeking?” Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”  Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means, Teacher).”  John 20v15-16 ESV

Just the mention of her name and her eyes and heart open to who is stood before her.  Mary Magdalene is the first of the women Jesus encounters early that first day and it seems rather poignant to me that it is these women, who stayed to the very end of His crucifixion, are the first of His followers that Jesus shows Himself to.

Jesus’ next encounters on this day were with two of His followers on the road to Emmaus (see Luke 24:13-35), and ten of His disciples in the upper room (see Luke 24:36-49).  Thomas or ‘Doubting Thomas’ as we call him was not there at the time but heard about the encounter; even so he was not going to be satisfied without proof.  He had to wait a week before he got that proof (see John 20:24-29).

In all these encounters there seems to be a recurring theme.  Although all these people had the knowledge of who Jesus was and what would happen to Him, their hope is crushed at the first hurdle of His death.  It is not before the Lord opens their minds that they truly recognise Him.

We can be like that.  We may not have Jesus in front of us physically, but we know Him through the Scriptures.  But it is not until Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, speaks to our hearts and opens our minds that we truly begin to recognise Him.

“Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen Me?  Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”” John 20v29 NIV