It’s Monday again.
You know what that means!
Every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month, we meet over here and talk a little bit about someone we’ve been learning about in the Bible. We look at the stories and see how they apply to us today.
These old stories hold truths that impact our stories today. I don’t want to miss these lessons – and I sure hope you’ll join us today in the comments or by planning to write with us next time. We’ll be back again on November 3rd.
The link-up stays open all week, so feel free to write later and then come back.
Click here to add the Chasing History button to your blog, and then come back and learn a
little bit.
Background Information
*This story follows right after Jesus’ crucifixion.
*It is one of the last stories in the book of Matthew.
*Speaking of, you’ll find this story in Matthew 28:1-10. You may have heard of the Great Commission? That comes right after this.
After Jesus was crucified He was placed in a tomb. Because of the timing and the day, it was not possible for Him to be anointed with oils and perfumes as was customary. Mary and Mary Magdelene went at dawn on the first day of the week to do so. But there was a giant earthquake and the stone that covered the tomb was rolled away.
An angel 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.”
They did just that, looking in the tomb and seeing that He wasn’t there. The angel also told the women to go and quickly tell His disciples the news. The women hurried away, “afraid yet filled with joy,” to tell the disciples.
As they were on their way Jesus met them. He greeted them, they clasped his feet and worshiped Him. He also said, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
There are a few key phrases in this story that stand out to me. And obviously, I bolded them. :) Let’s go through them one by one.
First, a little side note: Isn’t it so interesting that they went at dawn? There was no waiting for these women. No, they didn’t know how they would move the stone. No, they probably didn’t have the very nicest perfumes or oils. No, the guards may not let them through. But this was their Savior and although they had so many questions and didn’t understand why or how He could have actually died, they were going to anoint Him, love Him, and honor Him the best they knew how.
As Jesus always does, He moved obstacles and paved the way. The stone was already moved before their arrival.
Much more important: Jesus wasn’t there.
He hadn’t been stolen or misplaced. He had risen.
