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by Prince Mathew
On Sunday morning the women went to the tomb to pay their tribute to Jesus'
body. The disciples thought that everything had finished in tragedy. Neither
were ready to see an empty tomb and hear the angel's message, Why do you seek
the living among the dead? (Luke 24:5). Is it any small wonder that it was the
women, rather than the apostles, who first witnessed the empty tomb and the
resurrected Lord? As a woman (Eve) was first to taste death, so a woman (Mary
Magdalene) was first to taste life. As a woman was prescient in the fall, so a
woman was prescient in beholding the dawning of redemption, thus reversing the
curse upon Eve. The first to testify to the risen Lord was a woman from whom
Jesus had cast out seven demons.
What is the significance of the stone being rolled away? It would have taken
several people to roll away such a stone. And besides, the sealed tomb had been
guarded by soldiers! This is clearly the first sign of the resurrection. [The
angel] rolled back the stone not to throw open a way for our Lord to come forth,
but to provide evidence to people that he had already come forth. To behold the
resurrection, the stone must first be rolled away from our hearts.
It is significant that the disciples had to first deal with the empty tomb
before they could come to grips with the fact that scripture had foretold that
Jesus would die for our sins and then rise triumphant. They disbelieved until
they saw the empty tomb. Our Lord and redeemer revealed the glory of his
resurrection to his disciples gradually and over a period of time, undoubtedly
because so great was the virtue of the miracle that the weak hearts of mortals
could not grasp [the significance of] this all at once. Thus, he had regard for
the frailty of those seeking him. To those who came first to the tomb, both the
women who were aflame with love for him and the men, he showed the stone rolled
back. Since his body had been carried away, he showed them the linen cloths in
which it had been wrapped lying there alone. Then, to the women who were
searching eagerly, who were confused in their minds about what they had found
out about him, he showed a vision of angels who disclosed evidences of the fact
that he had risen again. Thus, with the report of his resurrection already
accomplished, going ahead of him, the Lord of hosts and the king of glory
himself at length appeared and made clear with what great might he had overcome
the death he had temporarily tasted.
The reality of the resurrection is the central fact of the Christian faith.
Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Lord gives us "eyes of faith" to know
him and the power of his resurrection. The greatest joy we can have is to
encounter the living Lord and to know him personally. Let us celebrate the feast
of Easter with joy and thanksgiving for the victory which Jesus has won for us
over sin and death.
May the light of the Risen Christ fill our hearts and homes with peace and
happiness.
Happy Easter to you all…
See Also:
The Easter Message of H.H.
Pope Shenouda III
The resurrection of the Lord Christ was distinguished with an amazing power. He
is the only One who was victorious over death by Himself. In His resurrection,
He crushed death, and arose with the power of His Divinity.
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