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“The Lord Is Risen”
This chapter is based on Matthew 28:2-4; 11-15.
The night of the first day of the week had worn slowly away.
Christ was still a prisoner in His tomb. The Roman seal was un-
broken; the Roman guards were keeping their watch. If it had been
possible, the prince of darkness would have kept the tomb that held
the Son of God sealed forever. But heavenly angels who excel in
strength were waiting to welcome the Prince of life.
“And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the
Lord descended from heaven.” The bright beams of God’s glory
illuminated his pathway. “His countenance was like lightning, and
his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him,
and became like dead men.”
This messenger was the angel who fills the position that Satan
lost. As he rolled away the stone, heaven seemed to come down
to earth. The soldiers saw him removing the stone as if it were a
pebble, and they heard him cry, “Son of God, come out; Your Father
is calling You.” They saw Jesus come out from the grave and heard
Him proclaim over the open tomb, “I am the resurrection and the
life.” As He came out in majesty and glory, the multitude of angels
welcomed Him with songs of praise.
At sight of the angels and the glorified Savior, the Roman guard
had fainted and become like dead men. When the heavenly proces-
sion was no longer visible, they got up and, staggering like drunken
men, hurried to the city, telling those whom they met the wonderful
news. They were making their way to Pilate, but the priests and
rulers sent for them to come first to meet with them. Trembling with
fear, their faces colorless, the soldiers told all, just as they had seen
it. They said, “It was the Son of God who was crucified; we have
heard an angel proclaiming Him as the Majesty of heaven, the King
of glory!”
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