After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

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.

 The 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.  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.”

Matthew 28:1 – 7

Having marked the tomb where Jesus was laid, the tomb just completed by and for Joseph of Arimathea, the two Mary’s returned to that spot in the morning of the first day of the week. They carried perfume to anoint Jesus’ body, when they find him!  There they met an angel from heaven who rolled back the stone and sat on it. He shone with heavenly light.  The guards who were placed there by the Roman Government to make sure something like this would never happen, were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 

Then the angel spoke to the two astounded 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.”

I admire these two women. Where are the disciples?  Where are Joseph and Nicodemus, who placed him securely in the tomb?  Where is everybody?  We see only these two women who loved and served Jesus with all their hearts!  They were to hear with their own ears the greatest announcement ever spoken on this earth, “He has risen.”  Jesus has atoned for our sins and is now alive!  Finally, the door is open for salvation for all who believe in Jesus and who trust him entirely.  The Scriptures are fulfilled! The angel is excited.  He said, 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.”

I have relived this scene many times in my life.  I find myself, in holy imagination, being with these two wonderful women there at the tomb as the sun rises on the first day of the week, which in my mind, is the first day of the new era on earth, the reign of Christ on earth as it is in heaven.  This is real. I see it and, once again, rejoice.  Thank you, Jesus, and thank you, Father and Holy Spirit.