Chapter 82—“Why Weepest Thou?”
This chapter is based on
Matthew 28:1, 5-8
;
Mark 16:1-8
;
Luke
24:1-12
;
John 20:1-18
.
The women who had stood by the cross of Christ waited and
watched for the hours of the Sabbath to pass. On the first day of the
week, very early, they made their way to the tomb, taking with them
precious spices to anoint the Saviour’s body. They did not think about
His rising from the dead. The sun of their hope had set, and night had
settled down on their hearts. As they walked, they recounted Christ’s
works of mercy and His words of comfort. But they remembered not
His words, “I will see you again.”
John 16:22
.
Ignorant of what was even then taking place, they drew near the
garden, saying as they went, “Who shall roll us away the stone from
the door of the sepulcher?” They knew that they could not remove the
stone, yet they kept on their way. And lo, the heavens were suddenly
alight with glory that came not from the rising sun. The earth trembled.
They saw that the great stone was rolled away. The grave was empty.
The women had not all come to the tomb from the same direction.
Mary Magdalene was the first to reach the place; and upon seeing
that the stone was removed, she hurried away to tell the disciples.
Meanwhile the other women came up. A light was shining about the
tomb, but the body of Jesus was not there. As they lingered about
the place, suddenly they saw that they were not alone. A young man
clothed in shining garments was sitting by the tomb. It was the angel
who had rolled away the stone. He had taken the guise of humanity
that he might not alarm these friends of Jesus. Yet about him the light
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of the heavenly glory was still shining, and the women were afraid.
They turned to flee, but the angel’s words stayed their steps. “Fear not
ye,” he said; “for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He
is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where
the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen
from the dead.” Again they look into the tomb, and again they hear the
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