Some of the women who knew the Lord Jesus went to place spices about His body, as was then a custom. They came to His tomb early in the morning the day after the Sabbath bringing spices.
A tomb, or sepulchre, is not like a grave, but a small room, and often large enough for more than one person to enter. The tomb in which the body of Jesus was laid was cut out in the rocks. The women had seen the big stone which covered the opening. On the way they wondered who would roll away the stone for them.
When they reached the place, they saw the great stone was already rolled away. They saw an angel in a white robe who told them that Jesus was not there, but risen, and for them to tell His disciples.
Reality of Resurrection
That was wonderful news, but the women were frightened by seeing an angel and ran from the tomb. One of them seems to have stayed near, and soon she saw the Lord Himself. She went to tell the disciples that He was alive, but they did not believe her words.
Jesus had told them before His death that He would rise the third day, yet it was not until He came Himself to the room where they were that they believed that He was alive again.
Later the disciples returned to Galilee as Jesus had told them, and He met them there and taught them (Matt. 28:1616Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. (Matthew 28:16)). But it is not told that people who had not loved Him saw Him after He arose.
The Lord and the disciples were again near Jerusalem, for He was taken up from them into heaven, as they stood on the Mount of Olives, near the village of Bethany (See Luke 24:50-5150And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. (Luke 24:50‑51); Acts 1:10-1210And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. 12Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey. (Acts 1:10‑12)).
A New Work
The Lord Jesus would no longer be the holy Servant for God on earth, and before He left He told the disciples their work as His servants. He said, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” “They went forth, and preached everywhere.”
It was a new work in the world to tell people of every race that One from heaven had died for them, and all who believed would be saved.
The disciples spoke much of Jesus being raised. They said, “It was not possible that He should be [held by death]” and that He was “the Prince of life.”
But the people then did not have the New Testament to know the words and power of the Lord, as we now have. It is still a great wonder that the Lord saves “he that believeth” (Mark 16:1616He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:16)).
Those who love the Lord still rejoice that the stone of His tomb was rolled away, that death could not hold Him, and that He now lives in heaven and knows all who put their trust in Him.
Further Meditation
1. What other parts of the Word of God deal with the subject of resurrection?
2. What common themes did the apostles preach in the Book of Acts?
3. An excellent book on the theme of preaching in the whole world is The Great Commission by C. H. Mackintosh.