(This passage is also referenced in Mark 16:1-9, Luke 24:1-8 & John 20:1-17)

Now to the resurrection accounts.  Mary Magdalene and Mary (Jesus’ mother) and (in Mark) Salome (probably the mother of James and John), came to attend to Jesus’ body. This was the first time they’d been able to see Him since He’d died: it must have been a long few days.

Although the accounts vary slightly, understandably, all have the same content and the main thing is that Jesus had risen! I love Matthew’s account with the imagery of an angel rolling back the stone, sitting on top of it, his feet dangling as he reveals the exciting news that Jesus has risen and that it wasn’t him rolling back the stone that allowed Jesus to walk through it: Jesus was already up and gone before the stone was moved. He’d always ‘risen early’ to spend time with His Father and perhaps He was having time with His Father on the way to Galilee.

It seems that the ladies who visited weren’t expecting Jesus to have risen.  In fact, it says they were ‘perplexed’ at finding Him missing from the tomb, and in one of the accounts, we’re told they believed Jesus’ body had been taken away. The angel reminds them, “Don’t you remember...” and they realise what had happened and rush to tell the disciples that Jesus was on His was to meet them.

Just as we read yesterday, no-one seemed to remember Jesus’ promise that He’d rise again. The ladies who went to tend to Jesus’ body only remembered when the angel reminded them: it’s so important we remember the promises God has spoken over us.  I think part of the reason God has put us in a church body isn’t only so we can be effective at growing, but also so we can remind each other of the promises and truths of God to spur us on.  Hebrews 3:13 tells us to “encourage each other daily”, and there are many verses (especially in the Old Testament), where we’re told to meditate on the law, including speaking it out and singing it. If we’re doing that, those around us are going to hear it, too.

Do you read the Bible when not at church?  Do you meditate on it?  Share what you’ve read with others?  Pray scripture over people?  Try getting into the habit of speaking out scripture, maybe as you go to work. Talk about what you’ve read with the people you live with.  Remember God’s promises and be ready to remind those around you of them when they need encouragement.  Remember, “faith comes from hearing”.