Basic HTML Version
Resurrection of Christ
185
rolled away from the door of the sepulcher, and the body of Jesus was
not there. Their hearts sank within them, and they feared that their
enemies had taken away the body. Suddenly they beheld two angels
in white apparel, their faces bright and shining. These heavenly
beings understood the errand of the women and immediately told
them that Jesus was not there; He had risen, but they could behold the
place where He had lain. They bade them go and tell His disciples
that He would go before them into Galilee. With fear and great joy
the women hurried back to the sorrowing disciples and told them
the things which they had seen and heard.
The disciples could not believe that Christ had risen, but, with
the women who had brought the report, ran hastily to the sepulcher.
They found that Jesus was not there; they saw His linen clothes, but
could not believe the good news that He had risen from the dead.
They returned home marveling at what they had seen, also at the
[187]
report brought them by the women. But Mary chose to linger around
the sepulcher, thinking of what she had seen, and distressed with the
thought that she might have been deceived. She felt that new trials
awaited her. Her grief was renewed, and she broke forth in bitter
weeping. She stooped down to look again into the sepulcher, and
beheld two angels clothed in white. One was sitting where the head
of Jesus had lain, the other where His feet had been. They spoke to
her tenderly, and asked her why she wept. She replied, “They have
taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid Him.”
As she turned from the sepulcher, she saw Jesus standing near,
but knew Him not. He spoke to her tenderly, inquiring the cause of
her sorrow and asking whom she was seeking. Supposing that He
was the gardener, she begged Him, if He had borne away her Lord, to
tell her where he had laid Him, that she might take Him away. Jesus
spoke to her with His own heavenly voice, saying, “Mary!” She was
acquainted with the tones of that dear voice, and quickly answered,
“Master!” and in her joy was about to embrace Him; but Jesus said,
“Touch Me not; for I am not yet ascended to My Father: but go to
My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your
Father; and to My God, and your God.” Joyfully she hastened to the
disciples with the good news. Jesus quickly ascended to His Father
to hear from His lips that He accepted the sacrifice, and to receive
all power in heaven and upon earth.